Commissions issued by foreign Courts
Full Text
Subject to such conditions and limitations as may be prescribed the provisions as to the execution and return of commissions for the examination of witnesses shall apply to commissions issued by or at the instance of—
(a) Courts situate in any part of India to which the provisions of this Code do not extend; or
(b) Courts established or continued by the authority of the Central Government outside India; or
(c) Courts of any State or country outside India.
Plain English Summary
Section 78 governs the reciprocal execution within India of witness examination commissions issued by external courts, including courts in parts of India where the CPC does not extend, Central Government courts established abroad, and foreign courts of reciprocating states.
Key Legal Elements
- Reciprocal Foreign Commissions: Extends domestic commission execution rules (Order XXVI Rules 19–22) to incoming foreign commissions.
- Three Jurisdictional Classes: Covers (a) non-CPC Indian territories, (b) Central Government extraterritorial courts, and (c) foreign sovereign courts.
- Procedural Parity: Executing Indian courts apply the same powers, summons, and contempt mechanisms as for domestic witness commissions.
- Central Government Notification Precondition: Operation regarding foreign countries under clause (c) requires reciprocal notifications under Order XXVI Rule 19.
Practical Note
Inbound International Commissions, Order XXVI Rules 19–22 & Reciprocity: (1) Execution of Incoming Foreign Commissions: While Section 77 covers outbound requests from India, Section 78 governs inbound requests where a foreign judicial authority seeks examination of a witness residing in India. (2) Order XXVI Rules 19–22 Mechanics: Under Order XXVI Rule 19, the High Court or designated District Court upon receiving the commission from the Central Government issues summons to the witness, administers oaths, and records the deposition. (3) Requirement of Reciprocity: The Central Government notifies reciprocating territories in the Official Gazette; commissions from non-notified nations require bilateral diplomatic clearance through consular channels.
हिंदी पाठ
ऐसी शर्तों और परिसीमाओं के अध्यधीन जो विहित की जाएं, साक्षियों की परीक्षा के लिए कमीशनों के निष्पादन और लौटाए जाने के उपबंध निम्नलिखित द्वारा या उनकी प्रेरणा पर निकाले गए कमीशनों को लागू होंगे—
(क) भारत के ऐसे किसी भाग में स्थित न्यायालयों द्वारा जिस पर इस संहिता के उपबंधों का विस्तार नहीं है; अथवा
(ख) भारत से बाहर केंद्रीय सरकार के प्राधिकार द्वारा स्थापित या चालू रखे गए न्यायालयों द्वारा; अथवा
(ग) भारत से बाहर के किसी राज्य या देश के न्यायालयों द्वारा।