148. Court to decide when question shall be asked and when witness compelled to answer.
If any such question relates to matter not relevant to the suit or proceeding, except in so far it affects the credit of the witness by injuring his character, the Court shall decide whether or not the witness shall be compelled to answer it and may, if it thinks fit, warn the witness that he is not obliged to answer it. In exercising its discretion the Court shall have regard to the following considerations-
(1) Such questions are proper if they are of such nature that the truth of the imputation conveyed by them would seriously affect the opinion of the Court as to the credibility of the witness on the matter to which he testifies.
(2) Such questions are improper if the imputation conveyed by them relates to matter so remote in time or of such a character that the truth of the imputation would not affect or would affect in a slight degree, the opinion of the Court as to the credibility of the witness on the matter to which he testifies.
(3) Such questions are improper if there is a great disproportion between the importance of the imputations made against the witness’s character and the importance of his evidence.
(4) The court may if it sees fit, draw from the witness’s refusal to answer, the inference that the answer if given would be unfavourable.
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- Section 25 BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) - 20th February 2026
- Section 26 BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) - 20th February 2026
- Section 27 BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) - 20th February 2026
