Exemption of other persons
Full Text
(1) The following persons shall be entitled to exemption from personal appearance in Court, namely:—
(i) the President of India;
(ii) the Vice-President of India;
(iii) the Speaker of the House of the People;
(iv) the Ministers of the Union;
(v) the Judges of the Supreme Court;
(vi) the Governors of States and the administrators of Union territories;
(vii) the Speakers of the State Legislative Assemblies;
(viii) the Chairman of the State Legislative Councils;
(ix) the Ministers of States;
(x) the Judges of the High Courts; and
(xi) the persons to whom section 87B applies.
(3) Where any person claims the privilege of such exemption, and it is consequently necessary to examine him by commission, he shall pay the costs of that commission, unless the party requiring his evidence pays such costs.
Plain English Summary
Section 133 exempts high constitutional and judicial dignitaries—including the President, Vice-President, Union/State Ministers, Governors, Presiding Officers of Parliament/Legislatures, Supreme Court and High Court Judges—from personal appearance in civil courts, mandating their examination via commission at the claimant's or summoning party's expense.
Key Legal Elements
- Enumerated Constitutional Dignitaries: Grants statutory exemption to President, Vice-President, Ministers, Supreme Court/High Court Judges, Governors, Speakers, and Rulers under Section 87B.
- Exemption from Personal Court Appearance: Eliminates compulsory physical presence in civil proceedings.
- Evidence via Court Commission: Necessitates examination through a court-appointed commissioner at their office/residence.
- Allocation of Commission Expenses: The exempt person bears commission costs unless paid by the summoning party.
Practical Note
Privilege of Constitutional Dignitaries & Examination on Commission: 1. Constitutional & Statutory Immunity: Section 133 shields top constitutional functionaries from being subpoenaed or compelled to physically step into witness boxes in civil trials, maintaining institutional decorum and avoiding interference with sovereign governance. 2. Examination on Commission: If their oral testimony is deemed indispensable to adjudicate a suit, the court must issue a commission (Order XXVI) to record their evidence in their official chambers or residence. 3. Cost of Commission (Sub-section 3): If the exempt dignitary himself claims the privilege to avoid appearing, he must bear the expenses of the commission, unless the party calling him as a witness voluntarily tenders or agrees to pay the commissioner's fees.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) निम्नलिखित व्यक्ति न्यायालय में वैयक्तिक उपसंजाति (व्यक्तिगत उपस्थिति) से छूट के हकदार होंगे, अर्थात्:—
(i) भारत के राष्ट्रपति;
(ii) भारत के उपराष्ट्रपति;
(iii) लोक सभा के अध्यक्ष;
(iv) संघ के मंत्रीगण;
(v) उच्चतम न्यायालय के न्यायाधीशगण;
(vi) राज्यों के राज्यपाल और संघ राज्यक्षेत्रों के प्रशासक;
(vii) राज्य विधान सभाओं के अध्यक्ष;
(viii) राज्य विधान परिषदों के सभापति;
(ix) राज्यों के मंत्रीगण;
(x) उच्च न्यायालयों के न्यायाधीशगण; और
(xi) वे व्यक्ति जिन पर धारा 87ख लागू होती है (यथा भूतपूर्व भारतीय रियासतों के शासक)।
(3) जहां कोई व्यक्ति ऐसी छूट के विशेषाधिकार का दावा करता है और परिणामस्वरूप कमीशन द्वारा उसकी परीक्षा करना आवश्यक हो जाता है, वहां वह उस कमीशन के खर्चों का संदाय करेगा, जब तक कि उसका साक्ष्य चाहने वाला पक्षकार ऐसे खर्चों का संदाय न कर दे।