168. The Judge may, in order to discover or obtain proof of relevant facts, ask any question he considers necessary, in any form, at any time, of any witness, or of the parties about any fact; and may order the production of any document or thing; and neither the parties nor their representatives shall be entitled to make any objection to any such question or order, nor, without the leave of the Court, to cross-examine any witness upon any answer given in reply to any such question:
Provided that the judgment must be based upon facts declared by this Adhiniyam to be relevant, and duly proved:
Provided further that this section shall not authorise any Judge to compel
any witness to answer any question, or to produce any document which such
witness would be entitled to refuse to answer or produce under sections 127
to 136, both inclusive, if the question were asked or the document were
called for by the adverse party; nor shall the Judge ask any question which
it would be improper for any other person to ask under section 151 or 152;
nor shall he dispense with primary evidence of any document, except in the
cases hereinbefore excepted.
Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023
Section 163 Testimony to facts stated in document mentioned in section 162
Section 164 Right of adverse party as to writing used to refresh memory
Section 165 Production of documents
Section 166 Giving, as evidence, of document called for and produced on notice
Section 167 Using, as evidence, of document production of which was refused on notice
Section 168 Judge's power to put questions or order production
Section 169 No new trial for improper admission or rejection of evidence