Section 156 IEA: Questions tending to corroborate evidence of relevant fact, admissible
Indian Evidence Act, 1872
Section 156 IEA at a Glance
Section 156 IEA deals with questions tending to corroborate evidence of relevant fact, admissible. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 159 BSA.
Section 156 IEA Bare Act Text
156. Questions tending 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.
IllustrationA, an accomplice, gives an account of a robbery in which he took part. He describes various incidents unconnected with the robbery which occurred on his way to and from the place where it was committed.
Independent evidence of these facts may be given in order to corroborate his evidence as to the robbery itself.
Source: Section 156, Indian Evidence Act, 1872
Section 156 IEA in Simple Words
Section 156 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 lets a party ask a witness about surrounding details to corroborate (confirm or support) testimony on a relevant fact. These questions are admissible (allowed as evidence in court) when the court thinks proving those details would support the witness.
The rule applies when a witness gives evidence about a relevant fact (a fact that the Act allows to be proved) and a party wants to support that testimony (evidence given in court). The witness may be asked about other circumstances observed at or near the time or place of that event. The court must hold the opinion that proving those circumstances would support the witness regarding the relevant fact.
The Illustration to Section 156 IEA shows how the rule works with an accomplice (a person who took part in an offence). When an accomplice testifies about taking part in a robbery and describes unconnected events seen while going to and returning from the scene, independent evidence of those events may be given to support the testimony about the robbery.
When Section 156 IEA Applies
- A witness gives evidence in court about a relevant fact, and a party intends to corroborate that witness.
- The witness observed other surrounding details at or near the time or place of that relevant fact.
- The court holds the opinion that proving those surrounding details would support what the witness testified about the relevant fact.
- Once the witness describes those unconnected incidents, independent proof of them may be presented to support the testimony on the main fact.
Example of Section 156 IEA
Section 156 IEA in the BSA
Section 156 IEA is now covered under Section 159 BSA.
Section 156 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 became Section 159 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 on 1 July 2024 without any change in wording.
View detailed comparison (IEA 156 vs BSA 159) →FAQs on Section 156 IEA
What is Section 156 IEA?▼
Section 156 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 is a rule that makes questions about surrounding circumstances admissible to corroborate a witness who testifies about a relevant fact. The witness may be asked about other details observed at or near the time or place of that fact if the court thinks proving them would support the testimony.
Can a witness be asked about unconnected incidents observed near the event under Section 156 IEA?▼
Yes. Even if the other incidents are unconnected with the main event, the witness may be questioned about them if they were observed at or near the time or place of the relevant fact and the court thinks proving them would support the witness.
Does the court have to approve corroborating questions under Section 156 IEA?▼
Yes. Such questions may be asked only when the court holds the opinion that proving those surrounding details would support what the witness said about the relevant fact.
Can independent evidence be given to prove the surrounding circumstances described by an accomplice under Section 156 IEA?▼
Yes. As shown in the Illustration to Section 156 IEA, when an accomplice describes unconnected incidents seen while going to and returning from a robbery, independent evidence of those incidents may be given to corroborate the testimony about the robbery.
What is Section 156 IEA in BSA?▼
Section 159 BSA. Section 156 IEA became Section 159 BSA on 1 July 2024 without any change in wording.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Evidence Act, 1872 ·