Exclusion of evidence to contradict answers to questions testing veracity.

What this section does

When a witness has answered a question relevant only to shaking his credit by injuring his character, no evidence may be led to contradict his answer; however, if the answer is false, the witness may be prosecuted for giving false evidence. Two exceptions exist: prior convictions denied by the witness may be proved, and facts tending to impeach impartiality that are denied may be contradicted.

AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).

The rule in one line

Answers to purely credit-affecting questions are final and cannot be contradicted by extrinsic evidence, subject to exceptions for prior convictions and bias.

When it applies

• A witness denies having been dismissed for dishonesty; evidence to prove the dismissal is inadmissible as it goes only to credit.
• A witness denies a blood feud with the accused's family; this denial may be contradicted because the question goes to the witness's impartiality, falling within Exception 2.

Derived from IEA s.153.