Evidence on affidavit
Full Text
Evidence on affidavit.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), the evidence of the complainant may be given by him on affidavit and may, subject to all just exceptions be read in evidence in any enquiry, trial or other proceeding under the said Code.
(2) The Court may, if it thinks fit, and shall, on the application of the prosecution or the accused, summon and examine any person giving evidence on affidavit as to the facts contained therein.
Plain English Summary
Allows the complainant to tender their examination-in-chief by way of an affidavit, requiring court summoning only for cross-examination upon application by the accused.
Key Legal Elements
- Complainant examination-in-chief is tendered by sworn affidavit
- Applies at pre-summoning inquiry and post-summoning trial stages
- Court is statutorily bound (shall) to summon deponent for cross-examination upon application by accused
- Accused cannot tender evidence by affidavit (Mandvi Co-op Bank)
Practical Note
1. PRE-SUMMONING & TRIAL EVIDENCE: • Pre-Summoning: Under Section 145(1), complainant does NOT need to give oral statement under Section 200 CrPC. Sworn affidavit with original documents is sufficient to issue summons (Indian Bank Association v. Union of India, (2014) 5 SCC 590). • Post-Summoning: The same affidavit is adopted as examination-in-chief during trial. 2. ACCUSED CANNOT TENDER AFFIDAVIT: • In Mandvi Co-operative Bank Ltd. v. Nimesh B. Thakore, (2010) 3 SCC 83, Supreme Court ruled that affidavit evidence under Section 145(1) is available ONLY to the complainant. Accused wishing to depose must step into the witness box under Section 315 CrPC / Section 351 BNSS. 3. CROSS-EXAMINATION IS MANDATORY: • Upon application under Section 145(2) by accused, the court "shall" summon the complainant for cross-examination.
हिंदी पाठ
शपथ-पत्र पर साक्ष्य।—(1) दंड प्रक्रिया संहिता, 1973 (1974 का 2) में किसी बात के होते हुए भी, परिवादी का साक्ष्य उसके द्वारा शपथ-पत्र पर दिया जा सकेगा और सभी उचित अपवादों के अधीन रहते हुए, उक्त संहिता के अधीन किसी जांच, विचारण या अन्य कार्यवाही में साक्ष्य के रूप में पढ़ा जा सकेगा।
(2) यदि न्यायालय ठीक समझता है, तो वह शपथ-पत्र पर साक्ष्य देने वाले किसी भी व्यक्ति को उसमें अंतर्विष्ट तथ्यों के बारे में समन कर सकेगा और उसकी परीक्षा कर सकेगा, तथा अभियोजन या अभियुक्त के आवेदन पर ऐसा अवश्य करेगा।