Section 148: Cross-examination as to previous statements in writing

Corresponding Evidence Act provision

As given in the correspondence table of the National Crime Records Bureau (Ministry of Home Affairs). Read both texts before relying on it. NCRB table

Leading cases

• Kehar Singh v. State (Delhi Administration) (1988)Decided on Evidence Act section 145The Court upheld the convictions and death sentences of Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh for the conspiracy to assassinate Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, acquitted Balbir Singh, and held that the trial in Tihar Jail was a valid open trial.

Questions on this section

3 questions in 17 of our papers cite Section 148. Try these from the free papers:

1. 1. Under Section 148 of the BSA, a witness may be cross-examined as to a previous statement made by him in writing without the writing being shown to him; but if it is intended to contradict him by the writing:

   A.the writing must first be proved by the person who recorded it, before any question is putB.the Court's leave must be obtained, and the writing must be produced in original onlyC.the whole of the writing must be read over to him before the cross-examination on it beginsD.his attention must be drawn to the parts meant to contradict him, before it is proved
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2. 2. Under Section 181(1) BNSS, a statement made by any person to a police officer in the course of an investigation under Chapter XIII, if reduced to writing:

   A.shall be signed by the person making itB.shall be signed by the person making it only if he is literateC.shall not be signed by the person making itD.shall be countersigned by the nearest Magistrate
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