When depositions may be read in evidence
Full Text
Evidence taken under a commission shall not be read as evidence in the suit without the consent of the party against whom the same is offered, unless—
(a) the person who gave the evidence is beyond the jurisdiction of the Court, or dead or unable from sickness or infirmity to attend to be personally examined, or exempted from personal appearance in Court, or is a person in the service of the Government who cannot, in the opinion of the Court, attend without detriment to the public service, or
(b) the Court in its discretion dispenses with the proof of any of the circumstances mentioned in clause (a) and authorizes the evidence of any person being read as evidence in the suit, notwithstanding proof that the cause for taking such evidence by commission has ceased at the time of reading the same.
Plain English Summary
Prohibits reading commission depositions into evidence without the opposing party's consent unless the statutory disability (death, illness, distance, or government duty) persists, or the court exercises judicial discretion under clause (b) to dispense with proof of such continuance.
Key Legal Elements
- General Rule of Inadmissibility: Consent of adversary required if witness is now capable of court attendance.
- Statutory Exceptions (Clause a): Out of jurisdiction, deceased, sick/infirm, legally exempted, or essential public servant.
- Judicial Dispensation (Clause b): Court may dispense with formal proof of continuing disability even if the original cause has ceased.
Practical Note
Tender of Evidence at Final Arguments: 1. Formal Tender Necessary: Depositions taken on commission do not become substantive evidence automatically; counsel must formally tender them under Rule 8 and ensure an order is recorded that they are 'read in evidence'. 2. Recovery of Ailing Witness: If a witness examined due to sickness recovers before final arguments, the opponent may object to reading the deposition under clause (a). Promptly apply under clause (b) invoking the court's discretion to dispense with fresh personal examination.
हिंदी पाठ
कमीशन के अधीन लिया गया साक्ष्य उस पक्षकार की सहमति के बिना, जिसके विरुद्ध वह प्रस्तुत किया गया है, वाद में साक्ष्य के रूप में तब तक नहीं पढ़ा जाएगा जब तक कि—
(क) साक्ष्य देने वाला व्यक्ति न्यायालय की अधिकारिता से परे न हो, अथवा मर न गया हो अथवा बीमारी या अंग-शैथिल्य के कारण स्वयं परीक्षित होने के लिए उपस्थित होने में असमर्थ न हो, अथवा न्यायालय में वैयक्तिक उपसंजाति से छूट-प्राप्त न हो, अथवा सरकार की सेवा में का कोई ऐसा व्यक्ति न हो जो न्यायालय की राय में, लोक सेवा की हानि के बिना उपस्थित नहीं हो सकता; अथवा
(ख) न्यायालय अपने विवेकाधिकार में खंड (क) में उल्लिखित परिस्थितियों में से किसी के साबित किए जाने से अभिमुक्ति न दे दे और किसी व्यक्ति के साक्ष्य को वाद में साक्ष्य के रूप में पढ़े जाने के लिए इस बात के होते हुए भी प्राधिकृत न कर दे कि कमीशन द्वारा ऐसा साक्ष्य लिए जाने का कारण उसे पढ़े जाने के समय समाप्त हो चुका है।