Section 150 IEA: Procedure of Court in case of question being asked without reasonable grounds
Indian Evidence Act, 1872
Section 150 IEA at a Glance
Section 150 IEA deals with procedure of Court in case of question being asked without reasonable grounds. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 153 BSA.
Section 150 IEA Bare Act Text
150. Procedure of Court in case of question being asked without reasonable grounds
If the Court is of opinion that any such question was asked without reasonable grounds, it may, if it was asked by any barrister, pleader, vakil or attorney, report the circumstances of the case to the High Court or other authority to which such barrister, pleader, vakil or attorney is subject in the exercise of his profession.
Source: Section 150, Indian Evidence Act, 1872
Section 150 IEA in Simple Words
Section 150 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 lets a court report a lawyer who asks a question in court without reasonable grounds (a fair or sensible basis). The rule applies when the person asking the question is a barrister, pleader, vakil, or attorney (types of legal practitioners who appear in court).
For the rule to apply, the court must form the opinion that the question was put without reasonable grounds. The question must also have been asked by a barrister, pleader, vakil, or attorney.
When both conditions are met, the court can send a report describing the facts of the matter. The report goes to the High Court or to another body that supervises that legal practitioner in professional work. Because the Act uses the word may, the court has a choice and is not forced to make a report.
When Section 150 IEA Applies
- The court forms the view that a question was put without a fair or sensible basis.
- The question was put by a barrister, pleader, vakil, or attorney.
- The court may send an account of the matter to the High Court or another body that regulates that legal practitioner.
Example of Section 150 IEA
Section 150 IEA in the BSA
Section 150 IEA is now covered under Section 153 BSA.
Section 150 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 became Section 153 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 on 1 July 2024. No substantive change. "Barrister, pleader, vakil or attorney" reads "advocate".
View detailed comparison (IEA 150 vs BSA 153) →FAQs on Section 150 IEA
What is Section 150 IEA?▼
Section 150 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 states what a court may do when a barrister, pleader, vakil, or attorney asks a question without reasonable grounds. The court may report the circumstances of the matter to the High Court or another regulating authority to which that legal practitioner is answerable.
Must the court report every question asked without reasonable grounds under Section 150 IEA?▼
No. The Act uses the word may, so making a report to the High Court or other regulating body is at the discretion of the court.
Does Section 150 IEA apply when a person who is not a legal practitioner asks a question?▼
No. The provision applies only when the question was asked by a barrister, pleader, vakil, or attorney.
What is Section 150 IEA in BSA?▼
Section 153 BSA. It replaced Section 150 IEA on 1 July 2024 with no substantive change, except that the words barrister, pleader, vakil or attorney read advocate.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Evidence Act, 1872 ·