Impeaching credit of witness.

What this section does

The credit of a witness may be impeached by the adverse party (or, with Court's consent, by the party calling him) through evidence that the witness is unworthy of credit, proof of bribery or corrupt inducement, or proof of prior inconsistent statements. A witness called to impeach credibility may not give reasons for his belief in chief examination but may be asked reasons in cross-examination, and those answers cannot themselves be contradicted.

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

The rule in one line

A witness's credibility may be impeached by evidence of general unworthiness, bribery, or prior inconsistent statements.

When it applies

• Evidence that a witness accepted a bribe to testify is admissible to impeach his credit.
• A prior statement by a witness that contradicts his present testimony may be proved to impeach his credibility.

Derived from IEA s.155.