Exemption of certain women from personal appearance
Full Text
(1) Women who, according to the customs and manners of the country, ought not to be compelled to appear in public shall be exempt from personal appearance in Court.
(2) Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to exempt such women from arrest in execution of civil process in any case in which the arrest of women is not prohibited by this Code.
Plain English Summary
Section 132 provides an exemption from personal appearance in court to women whose customary traditions or social manners dictate seclusion from public appearance (pardanashin women), while clarifying that this privilege does not bar civil arrest where not otherwise prohibited by the Code.
Key Legal Elements
- Customary Protection: Applies to women who by established social custom or manners do not appear in public.
- Exemption from Personal Appearance: Covers attendance as plaintiffs, defendants, or witnesses in civil proceedings.
- Alternative Evidentiary Mechanism: Testimony is recorded through court commissioners under Order XXVI Rule 1.
- Arrest Caveat (Sub-section 2): Does not confer immunity from civil arrest where civil arrest is not otherwise barred (e.g. subject to Section 56).
Practical Note
Examination of Pardanashin Women on Commission: 1. Scope of Exemption: Section 132 protects customary pardanashin women from being compelled to appear in open court, whether as parties or as witnesses. 2. Examination via Commission (Order XXVI Rule 1): When the testimony of an exempt woman is material, the court issues a commission for her examination at her residence or via video-conferencing in a dignified and secluded environment. 3. Waiver of Privilege: If a woman who claims to be pardanashin voluntarily appears in public, attends court, or engages in public commercial transactions without purdah, the privilege stands waived. 4. Interplay with Section 56: Section 56 completely prohibits the arrest or detention of women in execution of money decrees; Section 132(2) simply clarifies that general civil arrest (such as contempt of court or resisting delivery of possession under Order XXI) is not blanketly excused by Section 132 alone.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) ऐसी स्त्रियां, जिन्हें देश की रूढ़ियों और तौर-तरीकों के अनुसार जनता के समक्ष आने के लिए बाध्य नहीं किया जाना चाहिए (यथा पर्दानशीन स्त्रियां), न्यायालय में व्यक्तिगत रूप से उपसंजात (उपस्थित) होने से छूट प्राप्त होंगी।
(2) इसमें अंतर्विष्ट किसी भी बात से यह नहीं समझा जाएगा कि वह ऐसी स्त्रियों को सिविल आदेशिका के निष्पादन में गिरफ्तारी से छूट देती है, ऐसे किसी मामले में जिसमें स्त्रियों की गिरफ्तारी इस संहिता द्वारा प्रतिषिद्ध नहीं है।