Power to examine witness immediately
Full Text
(1) Where a witness is about to leave the jurisdiction of the Court, or other sufficient cause is shown to the satisfaction of the Court why his evidence should be taken immediately, the Court may, upon the application of any party or of the witness, at any time after the institution of the suit, take the evidence of such witness in manner hereinbefore provided.
(2) Where such evidence is not taken forthwith and in the presence of the parties, such notice as the Court thinks sufficient, of the day fixed for the examination, shall be given to the parties.
(3) The evidence so taken shall be read over to the witness, and, if he admits it to be correct, shall be signed by him, and the Judge shall, if necessary, correct the same, and shall sign it, and it may then be read at any hearing of the suit.
Plain English Summary
Authorizes emergency examination of a witness ('de bene esse') at any stage after suit institution if the witness is about to depart the jurisdiction or is in imminent danger of death or incapacity.
Key Legal Elements
- Immediate Examination (De Bene Esse): Can be conducted even before framing of issues.
- Sufficient Cause Triggers: Witness emigrating abroad, terminally ill, or departing jurisdiction.
- Notice to Parties (Sub-rule 2): Opportunity to cross-examine preserved.
- Admissibility at Final Trial (Sub-rule 3): Deposition forms part of trial evidence.
Practical Note
Examining Terminally Ill or Emigrating Witnesses: 1. Timing: Rule 16 can be invoked immediately after summons service, without waiting for the written statement or issues. 2. Courtroom Motion: 'Application under Order XVIII Rule 16 CPC for immediate examination of Witness PW-1 de bene esse on account of imminent migration to Canada / terminal cancer diagnosis with doctor's certificate'.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) जहां कोई साक्षी न्यायालय की अधिकारिता से बाहर जाने वाला है, अथवा न्यायालय के समाधानप्रद रूप में यह पर्याप्त हेतुक दर्शित किया जाता है कि उसका साक्ष्य तुरंत क्यों लिया जाना चाहिए, वहां न्यायालय किसी पक्षकार या साक्षी के आवेदन पर, वाद संस्थित किए जाने के पश्चात किसी भी समय, पूर्व उपबंधित रीति से ऐसे साक्षी का साक्ष्य ले सकेगा।
(2) जहां ऐसा साक्ष्य तुरंत और पक्षकारों की उपस्थिति में नहीं लिया जाता है, वहां परीक्षा के लिए नियत दिन की ऐसी सूचना पक्षकारों को दी जाएगी जैसी न्यायालय पर्याप्त समझे।
(3) इस प्रकार लिया गया साक्ष्य साक्षी को पढ़कर सुनाया जाएगा, और यदि वह उसके सही होने की बात स्वीकार करता है, तो उसके द्वारा उस पर हस्ताक्षर किए जाएंगे, और न्यायाधीश यदि आवश्यक हो तो उसे शुद्ध करेगा तथा उस पर हस्ताक्षर करेगा, और तब उसे वाद की किसी भी सुनवाई में पढ़ा जा सकेगा।