147. Any witness may be asked, while under examination, whether any contract, grant or other disposition of property, as to which he is giving evidence, was not contained in a document, and if he says that it was, or if he is about to make any statement as to the contents of any document, which, in the opinion of the Court, ought to be produced, the adverse party may object to such evidence being given until such document is produced, or until facts have been proved which entitle the party who called the witness to give secondary evidence of it.
Explanation.- A witness may give oral evidence of statements made by other persons about the contents of documents if such statements are in themselves relevant facts.
Illustration.
The question is, whether A assaulted B. C deposes that he heard A say to D
-"B wrote a letter accusing me of theft, and I will be revenged on him".
This statement is relevant, as showing A's motive for the assault, and
evidence may be given of it, though no other evidence is given about the
letter.
Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023
Section 141 Judge to decide as to admissibility of evidence
Section 142 Examination of witnesses
Section 143 Order of examinations
Section 144 Cross examination of person called to produce a document
Section 145 Witnesses to character
Section 147 Evidence as to matters in writing
Section 148 Cross examination as to previous statements in writing