The Examination of Witness is highlighted in Chapter 10, which discusses Articles 130 to 161 of the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order 1984. This chapter outlines the rules for recording witness statements, questioning them, and conducting cross-examinations to confirm credibility.
When a case is going on in court, witness testimony is very important because it helps in clarifying the facts of the case. The manner in which witnesses are asked questions, analysis of their responses and their cross-examination can affect the decision of the case. The witness’s statement in court is based on his confidence and circumstances, and facts are verified during cross-examination.
This chapter helps us understand how courts examine witnesses and what the different stages for the examination of a witness.
Chapter 10:Examination of Witnesses – Short Summary in Urdu
پاکستان قانون شہادت آرڈر کے چیپٹر 10 میں گواہان کے امتحان (ایگزیمینیشن آف ویٹنس) کے طریقہ کار کو تفصیل سے بیان کیا گیا ہے۔ اس چیپٹر میں بتایا گیا ہے کہ گواہوں سے سوالات کیسے کیے جاتے ہیں، اور ان کے جوابات کی قانونی حیثیت کیا ہوتی ہے۔ آرٹیکلز 130 سے 161 کے تحت گواہان کی جانچ کے مختلف مراحل شامل ہیں جیسے ایگزیمینیشن اِن چیف، کراس ایگزیمینیشن ، اور ری-ایگزیمینیشن شامل ہے ۔ اس چیپٹر کا مقصد گواہی کے عمل کو شفاف اور منصفانہ بنانا ہے تاکہ حقائق کو درست طریقے سے عدالت میں پیش کیا جا سکے۔
QSO Chapter 10: Examination of Witness Key Points Table
These key points notes table presents the details of various articles concisely to facilitate the understanding.
| Article no. | Title | key points |
|---|---|---|
| 130 | Order of Production and Examination of Witnesses | گواہوں کی پیشی اور جانچ کا طریقہ عدالت کی صوابدید یا متعلقہ قانون کے مطابق ہوگا۔ |
| 131 | Judge to Decide as to Admissibility of Evidence | جج طے کرے گا کہ آیا کوئی شہادت قابل قبول ہے یا نہیں اور اس کی متعلقہ یا ریلیوینٹ ہونے پر غور کرے گا۔ |
| 132 | Examination-in-Chief, etc | اس آرٹیکل میں گواہ کی ابتدائی جانچ، جرح، اور دوبارہ جانچ کا طریقہ بیان کیا گیا ہے۔ |
| 133 | Order of Examinations | پہلے ایگزیمینیشن اِن چیف، پھرکراس ایگزیمینیشن (جرح)، اور آخر میں ری-ایگزیمینیشن ہوتی ہے، نئے معاملات کی وضاحت کی اجازت بھی دی گئی ہے۔ |
| 134 | Cross-Examination of Person Called to Produce a Document | دستاویز پیش کرنے والا شخص جرح کے لیے تب تک دستیاب نہیں ہوتا جب تک کہ اسے گواہ کے طور پر بلایا نہ جائے۔ |
| 135 | Witnesses to Character | کردار کے گواہان سے جرح اور دوبارہ جرح (ری-ایگزیمینیشن) کی جا سکتی ہے۔ |
| 136 | Leading Questions | لیڈنگ کویسچنز وہ ہوتے ہیں جو سوال کنندہ کو متوقع جواب کی طرف اشارہ /نشاندہی کرتے ہیں۔ |
| 137 | When Leading Questions Must Not Be Asked | ایگزیمینیشن اِن چیف یا ری-ایگزیمینیشن میں (اعتراض کی صورت میں) لیڈنگ کویسچنز نہیں پوچھے جا سکتے، سوائے عدالت کی اجازت کے۔ |
| 138 | When Leading Questions May Be Asked | لیڈنگ کویسچنز جرح میں پوچھے جا سکتے ہیں۔ |
| 139 | Evidence as to Matters in Writing | تحریری معاہدے یا دستاویزات کی شہادت کے وقت گواہ سے دستاویزات پیش کرنے کی درخواست کی جا سکتی ہے۔ |
| 140 | Cross-Examination as to Previous Statements in Writing | گواہ کو اس کے پہلے تحریری بیانات پر جرح کا سامنا ہو سکتا ہے، لیکن تضاد کے لیے پہلے اس کی توجہ اس طرف مبذول کروائی جائے گی۔ |
| 141 | Questions Lawful in Cross-Examination | جرح میں گواہ کی ساکھ، کردار، یا زندگی کی حالت کے بارے میں سوالات کیے جا سکتے ہیں، خواہ وہ گواہ کو نقصان پہنچا سکتے ہوں۔ |
| 142 | When Witness to be Compelled to Answer | کوئی سوال جو مقدمے یا کارروائی سے متعلق ہو، گواہ کو جواب دینے پر مجبور کیا جا سکتا ہے۔ |
| 143 | Court to Decide When Question Shall be Asked and When Witness Compelled to Answer | ایسے سوالات جو مقدمے سے متعلق نہ ہوں لیکن گواہ کے کردار کو متاثر کریں، عدالت فیصلہ کرے گی کہ گواہ کو جواب دینا ضروری ہے یا نہیں۔ |
| 144 | Question Not to be Asked Without Reasonable Grounds | کوئی سوال بغیر معقول وجہ کے نہ پوچھا جائے جب تک کہ سوال کنندہ کو یقین نہ ہو کہ اس کا معقول اور درست اور جسکا تعلق کیس سے ہی ہے۔ |
| 145 | Procedure of Court in Case of Question Being Asked Without Reasonable Grounds | غیر معقول سوالات کرنے کی صورت میں عدالت معاملہ متعلقہ بار کونسل یا اعلیٰ عدالت کو بھیج سکتی ہے۔ |
| 146 | Indecent and Scandalous Questions | عدالت غیر مناسب یا بدنامی پر مبنی سوالات کرنے سے منع کر سکتی ہے جب تک کہ وہ مقدمے کے فیصلہ کن حقائق سے متعلق نہ ہوں۔ |
| 147 | Procedure of Court in Cases of Defamation, Libel and Slander | ہتک عزت کے مقدمات میں عدالت پہلے اس بات پر غور کرے گی کہ آیا ملزم نے واقعی الزام لگایا یا شائع کیا ہے، اس کے بعد دوسرے سوالات کی اجازت ہوگی۔ |
| 148 | Questions Intended to Insult or Annoy | عدالت ایسے سوالات روک سکتی ہے جو اہانت یا تنگ کرنے کے ارادے سے کیے جائیں۔ |
| 149 | Exclusion of Evidence to Contradict Answers to Questions Testing Veracity | ایسے سوالات جن کا مقصد گواہ کی سچائی کی جانچ کرنا ہو، ان کے جوابات کو جھٹلانے کے لیے مزید ثبوت نہیں دیے جائیں گے، سوائے مخصوص حالات کے۔ |
| 150 | Question by Party to His Own Witness | عدالت گواہ کو بلانے والے فریق کو اجازت دے سکتی ہے کہ وہ اپنے ہی گواہ سے جرح کے طرز پر سوال کرے۔ |
| 151 | Impeaching Credit of Witness | گواہ کی ساکھ کو خراب کرنے کے لیے مخالف فریق یا عدالت کی اجازت سے بلانے والا فریق درج ذیل طریقے استعمال کر سکتا ہے: (1) گواہ کے کردار پر سوال اٹھانا، (2) رشوت یا بدعنوانی ثابت کرنا، (3) متضاد بیانات پیش کرنا۔ |
| 152 | Questions Tending to Corroborate Evidence of Relevant Fact Admissible | گواہ سے دیگر حالات کے بارے میں سوال کیا جا سکتا ہے تاکہ اس کی شہادت کی تصدیق ہو سکے۔ |
| 153 | Former Statements of Witness May be Proved to Corroborate Later Testimony as to Same Fact | کسی گواہ کے پرانے بیانات کو موجودہ شہادت کی تصدیق کے لیے پیش کیا جا سکتا ہے۔ |
| 154 | What Matters May be Proved in Connection with Proved Statement Relevant under Article 46 or 47 | کسی ثابت شدہ بیان کی تصدیق یا تردید کے لیے تمام متعلقہ حالات ثابت کیے جا سکتے ہیں۔ |
| 155 | Refreshing Memory | گواہ اپنی یادداشت تازہ کرنے کے لیے اپنے لکھے ہوئے یا کسی اور کے لکھے ہوئے دستاویزات کو دیکھ سکتا ہے، بشرطیکہ وہ اسے درست سمجھتا ہو۔ |
| 156 | Testimony to Facts Stated in Document Mentioned in Article 155 | گواہ ان حقائق کی گواہی دے سکتا ہے جو آرٹیکل 155 کے تحت درج دستاویز میں درج ہیں، اگرچہ اسے خود وہ حقائق یاد نہ ہوں۔ |
| 157 | Right of Adverse Party as to Writing Used to Refresh Memory | مخالف فریق کو حق حاصل ہے کہ وہ گواہ کے استعمال کردہ دستاویز کا معائنہ کرے اور اس پر جرح کرے۔ |
| 158 | Production of Document | گواہ کو دستاویزات لانے کا حکم دیا جا سکتا ہے، اور عدالت اس کی درستگی کا جائزہ لے گی۔ اگر ریاستی معاملات سے متعلق ہو تو اس کی ترجمہ کاری بھی کی جا سکتی ہے۔ |
| 159 | Giving, as Evidence, of Document Called for and Produced on Notice | جب کسی پارٹی کی درخواست پر دستاویز پیش کی جائے، تو مخالف پارٹی اسے بطور شہادت پیش کرنے کی پابند ہوگی۔ |
| 160 | Using, as Evidence, of Document Production of Which was Refused on Notice | اگر کوئی پارٹی نوٹس کے بعد بھی دستاویز پیش کرنے سے انکار کرے، تو وہ بعد میں عدالت کی اجازت کے بغیر اسے بطور شہادت استعمال نہیں کر سکتی۔ |
| 161 | Judge’s Power to Put Question or Order Production | جج کسی بھی وقت کسی بھی فریق یا گواہ سے کوئی بھی سوال کر سکتا ہے یا دستاویزات طلب کر سکتا ہے تاکہ مقدمے کے حقائق کی وضاحت ہو سکے۔ عدالت اس بارے میں اعتراضات کو مسترد کر سکتی ہے جب تک کہ قانونی استثنا نہ ہو۔ |
Concise Short Notes on QSO Chapter 10: The Examination of Witness
Article 130. Order of production and examination of witnesses:
• The order in which witnesses are produced and examined
• Shall be regulated
➥ By the law and
➥ Practice for the time being relating to civil and criminal procedure respectively, and,
• In the absence of any such law,
➥ By the discretion of the Court
Article 131. Judge to decide as to admissibility of evidence:
• When either party proposes to give evidence of any fact,
➥ The Judge may ask the party proposing to give the evidence
» In what manner the alleged fact, if proved, would be relevant, and
➥The Judge shall admit the evidence if he thinks that the fact,
o If proved, would be relevant and not otherwise.
• If the fact proposed to be proved is one
➥ Of which evidence is admissible only
» Upon proof of some other fact,
➥ Such last-mentioned fact must be proved before evidence is given of
» The fact first-mentioned,
➥ Unless the party undertakes to give proof of such fact, and
➥ The Court is satisfied with such undertaking.
• If the relevancy of the one alleged fact depends upon another alleged fact being first proved, the
Judge may, in his discretion,
➥ Either permit evidence of the first fact to be given
» Before the second fact is proved, or
➥ Require evidence to be given of the second fact before evidence is given of the first fact
Article 132. Examination-in-chief, etc.:
• The examination of a witness by the party
➥ Who calls him shall be called his examination-in-chief.
• The examination of a witness by
➥ The adverse party shall be called his cross-examination.
• The examination of a witness,
➥ Subsequent to the cross-examination by the party
➥ Who called him, shall be called his re-examination
Article 133. Order of examinations:
• Witnesses shall be
➥ First examined-in-chief,
➥ Then cross-examined (if the adverse party so desires),
➥ Then re-examined (if the party calling him so desires)
• The examination and cross-examination must relate to
➥ Relevant facts but
➥ The cross-examination need not be confined to the facts
» To which the witness testified on his examination-in-chief
• The re-examination shall be directed to the explanation of matters
➥ Referred to in cross-examination; and if
➥ New matter is, by permission of the Court, introduced in re-examination,
» The adverse party may further cross-examine that matter
Article 134. Cross-examination of person called to produce a document:
• A person summoned to produce a document
➥ Does not become a witness by the mere fact
» That he produces it and
» Cannot be cross-examined
» Unless and until
➥ He is called as a witness
Article 135. Witnesses to character:
• Witnesses to character may be
➥ Cross-examined and
➥ Re-examined
Article 136. Leading questions:
• Any question
➥Suggesting to answer
➥Which the person putting it
» Wishes or expects to receive
Is called a leading question
Article 137. When leading questions must not be asked:
• Leading questions must not be asked (if objected) in an
➥Examination-in-chief, or
➥In a re-examination,
➥Except with the permission of the Court.
• The Court shall permit leading questions as to matters which are
➥ Introductory or
➥ Undisputed; or
➥ Which have, in its opinion been already sufficiently proved
Article 138. When leading questions may be asked:
• Leading questions may be asked in cross-examination
Article 139. Evidence as to matters in writing:
• Any witness may be asked,
• Whether any contract, grant or other disposition of property,
➥ As to which he is giving evidence,
• Was not contained in a document, and
➥ If he says that it was, or
➥ If he is about to make any statement as to the contents of any documents,
➥ Which, in the opinion of the Court, ought to be produced,
• The adverse party may object to such evidence being given
• Until such document is produced, or
• Until facts have been proved which entitle that party who called the witness
➥ To give secondary evidence of it
➥ A witness may give oral evidence if such statements are in themselves relevant facts
Article 140. Cross-examination as to previous statements in writing:
• A witness may be cross-examined as to previous statements made by him
➥ In writing or
➥ Reduced into writing, and
➥ Relevant to matters in question,
• Without such writing being shown to him, or being proved; but,
• If it is intended to contradict him by the writing,
• His attention must
• Be called to those parts of it
» Which are to be used for the purpose of contradicting him
• Before the writing can be proved
Article 141. Questions lawful in cross-examination:
• In addition to the questions hereinbefore referred to, be asked any questions which tend
➥To test his veracity,
➥To discover
» Who he is and
» What is his position in life, or
• To shake his credit,
➥ By injuring his character,
➥ Although the answer to such question might tend directly or indirectly
» To criminate him or
• Might expose or tend directly or indirectly to expose him
➥ To a penalty or
➥ Forfeiture
Article 142. When witness to be compelled to answer:
• If any such question relates to a matter relevant to the suit or proceeding,
• The provisions of Article 15 shall apply thereto
Article 143. Court to decide when question shall be asked and when witness compelled to
answer:
• If any such question relates to a matter not relevant to the suit or proceeding,
• Except
➥ 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,
• Warn the witness that he is not obliged to answer it.
• In exercising its discretion, the Court shall have regard to the following considerations:–
➥ Such questions are proper if they are of such a 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 testified;
• Such questions are improper if the imputation which they convey relates to matters
➥ So remote in time, or
➥ That the truth of the imputation would not affect, or
➥ Would affect in slight degree,
» The opinion of the Court as to the credibility of the witness on the matter
to which he testified;
• Such questions are improper if there is a
➥ Great disproportion between
» The importance of the imputation made against the witness‘s character
» And the importance of his evidence;
• The Court may, if it sees fit, draw,
➥ From the witness‘s refusal to answer, the inference that the answer if given
➥ Would be un favorable
Article 144. Question not to be asked without reasonable grounds:
• No such question as is referred to in Article 143 ought to be asked,
• Unless the person asking it
➥ Has reasonable grounds for thinking that the imputation which it conveys
» Is well founded
Article 145. Procedure of Court in case of question being asked without reasonable
grounds:
• If it was asked by any advocate,
➥ Report the circumstances of the case to the High Court or
➥ Other authority to which such advocate is subject in the exercise of his profession
Article 146. Indecent and scandalous question:
• The Court may forbid any question or inquiries
• Which it regards as indecent or scandalous,
• Although such questions or inquiries may have some bearing on the questions, before the Court,
• Unless they relate to
➥ Facts in issue, or
➥ To matters necessary to be known in order to determine
» Whether or not the facts in issue existed
Article 147. Procedure of Court in cases of defamation libel and slander:
• When a person is prosecuted or sued for making or publishing an imputation of a
➥Defamatory, libelous or slanderous nature,
• The Court shall, not permit any question to be put to any witness for the purpose of
➥ Injuring the character of the person in respect of whom such imputation has, or is alleged
to have, been made, or any other person,
» Whether dead or alive, in whom he is interested
• Before it has recorded its findings on the issues
➥ Whether such person did make or publish such imputation, and
➥ Whether such imputation is true
• Except
➥ Insofar as any such question may the necessary for the purpose of
➥ Determining the truth of the imputations alleged to have been made or published
Article 148. Questions intended to insult or annoy:
• The Court shall forbid any question which appears to it
➥To be intended to insult or annoy; or which,
• Though proper in itself, appears to the Court
➥Needlessly offensive in form
Article 149. Exclusion of evidence to contract answer to questions testing veracity:
• When a witness has been asked and has answered any question
• Which is relevant to the inquiry only insofar as
➥It tends to shake his credit by injuring his character,
• No evidence shall be given to contradict him; but,
• If he answers falsely, he may afterwards be charged
➥With giving false evidence.
• Exceptions
➥ If a witness is asked any question tending to impeach his impartiality and answers it
» By denying the facts suggested,
➣ He may be contradicted
Article 150. Question by party to his own witness:
• The Court may permit the person
• Who calls a witness to put any questions to him
➥ Which might be put in cross-examination by the adverse party
Article 151. Impeaching credit of witness:
• The credit of a witness may be impeached in the following ways by the
➥ Adverse party, or,
➥By the party who calls him (with the consent of the Court)
• If a witness is asked whether he has been previously convicted of any crime
➥ Denies it,
➥ Evidence may be given of his previous conviction.
» By the evidence of persons who testify that they,
➣ From their knowledge of the witness,
➣ Believe him to be unworthy of credit;
» By proof that the witness
➣ Has been bribed, or
➣ Has accepted the offer of a bribe, or
➣ Has received any other corrupt inducement to give his evidence;
» By proof of
➣ Former statements inconsistent with any part of his evidence
➣ Which is liable to be contradicted;
» When a man is prosecuted for rape or an attempt to ravish,
➣ It may be shown that the prosecutrix was of generally immoral character.
• A witness declaring another witness to be unworthy of credit may not
➥ Give reasons for his belief, but he may be asked
➥ His reasons in cross-examination,
• And the answers which he gives
➥ Cannot be contradicted, though,
• If they are false, he may afterwards be charged with giving false evidence.
Article 152. Questions lending to corroborate evidence of relevant fact admissible:
• When a witness whom it is intended to corroborate
➥ Gives evidence of any relevant fact,
• He may be questioned as to any other circumstances which
• He observed at or near to the time or place
➥ At which such relevant fact occurred
• If the Court is of opinion that such circumstances, if proved,
• Would corroborate the testimony of the witness as to the relevant fact which he testifies
Article 153. Former statements of witness may be proved to corroborate later testimony as
to same fact:
• In order to corroborate the testimony of a witness,
• Any former statement made by such witness
➥ Relating to the same fact at or about the time
» When the fact took place, or
» Before any authority legally competent to investigate the fact,
• May be proved
Article 154. What matters may be proved in connection with proved statement relevant
under Article 46 or 47:
• Whenever any statement, relevant under Article 46 or 47,
• Is proved,
• All matters may be proved either in order to
➥ Contradict or
➥ Corroborate it, or
➥ To impeach or
➥ Confirm the credit of the person
» By whom it was made
» Which might have been proved
➣ If that person had been called as a witness and
➣ Had denied upon cross-examination the truth of the matter suggested
Article 155. Refreshing memory:
• A witness may, while under examination of
➥ Afresh his memory
➥ By referring to any writing made by himself
» At the time of the transaction concerning which he is questioned, or
» So soon afterwards that
➥ The Court considers it likely that the transaction was at that time fresh in his memory.
• The witness may also refer
➥ To any such writing made by any other person, and
➥ Read by the witness within the time aforesaid
» If when he read it he knew it to be correct.
• Whenever a witness refresh memory by reference to any document he may
➥ Refer to a copy of such document
» With the permission of the Court
➥ Court be satisfied that there is sufficient reason for the non-production of the original
• An expert may refresh his memory by reference to
➥ Professional treatise
Article 156. Testimony to facts stated in document mentioned in Article 155:
• A witness may also testify to fact mentioned in any such document
• As is mentioned in Article 155
➥ If he is sure that the facts were correctly recorded in the document
• Although he has no specific recollection of the facts themselves
Article 157. Right of adverse party as to writing used to refresh memory:
• Any writing referred to under the provisions of the two last preceding Articles
➥ Must be produced and
➥ Shown to the adverse party if he requires it such party may
• If he pleases
➥ Cross-examine the witness thereupon
Article 158. Production of documents:
• A witness summoned to produce a document shall,
➥ If it is in his possession or power,
➥ Bring it to Court
(notwithstanding any objection which there may be to its production or to its
admissibility
The validity of any objection shall be decided on by the Court)
• The Court
➥ May inspect the document
➥ Unless it refers
» To matters of State, or
» Take other evidence to enable it to determine on its admissibility.
• If for such a purpose it is necessary to cause any document
➥ To be translated
➥ The Court may direct the translator
» To keep the contents secret
➥ Unless the document is to be given in evidence; and,
➥ If the translator disobeys such direction
» He shall be held to have committed an offence under Section 166 of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860
Article 159. Giving, as evidence, of document called for and produced on notice:
• When a party calls for a document
➥ Which he has given the other party notice to produce
➥ And such document is produced and
» Inspected by the partly calling for its production
➥ He is bound to give it as evidence
» If the party producing it requires him to do so
Article 160. Using, as evidence, of document production of which was refused on notice:
• When a party refuses to produce a document
➥ Which he has had notice to produce
➥ He cannot afterwards use the document as evidence
» Without the consent of the other party or
» The order of the Court
Article 161. Judge’s power to put questions or order production:
• The Judge may, in order
➥ To discover or
➥ To obtain proper proof of relevant facts
• Ask any question he places
➥ In any form
➥ At any time
➥ Of any witness, or
➥ Of the parties about any fact
» Relevant or irrelevant
• And may order the production of any
➥ Document or
➥ Things
• And neither the parties nor their agents shall be entitled to
➥ Make any objection to any such question or order,
• Nor, without the leave of the Court
➥ To cross-examine any witness upon any answer given in reply to any such question:
» Judgment must be based upon facts declared by this Order to be relevant, and duly
proved
» This Article shall not authorize any Judge to compel any witness to answer any question
or to produce any document which such witness would be entitled to refuse to answer or
produce under Articles 4 to 14, both inclusive, if the question was asked or the document
was called for by the adverse party:
» Nor shall the Judge ask any question which it would be improper for any other person to
ask under Article 143 or 144
» Nor shall he dispense with primary evidence of any document, except in the cases herein
before excepted
Test Your Knowledge: Mock Test on Chapter 10 Examination of Witness
Read Also: Who Carries the Burden of Proof? QSO Chapter 9 Explained