BSA Section 143 — Order of examinations

CHAPTER X OF EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES

General

Summary

Sub-section (1) sets the order in which a witness is questioned in court. First, the witness is examined-in-chief, which is the questioning by the party who called the witness. Then, if the opposing party wishes, the witness is cross-examined. Finally, if the party who called the witness wishes, the witness is re-examined.

Sub-section (2) states that both examination-in-chief and cross-examination must relate to relevant facts. However, cross-examination is not limited to the facts the witness spoke about during examination-in-chief; it can cover other relevant facts as well.

Sub-section (3) explains that re-examination is meant to clarify matters that came up during cross-examination. If, with the court's permission, new matter is introduced during re-examination, the opposing party is allowed to cross-examine the witness again on that new matter.

Official Text

(1) Witnesses shall be first examined-in-chief, then (if the adverse party so desires) cross-examined, then (if the party calling him so desires) re-examined.

(2) The examination-in-chief and cross-examination must relate to relevant facts, but the cross-examination need not be confined to the facts to which the witness testified on his examination-in-chief.

(3) The re-examination shall be directed to the explanation of matters referred to in cross-examination; and, if new matter is, by permission of the Court, introduced in re-examination, the adverse party may further cross-examine upon that matter.

Related Judgments

  • ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs RAJESH JHAVERI STOCK BROKERS PVT. LTD — Supreme Court of India (2007)
  • BRIJ LAL & ORS. vs COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX ACT — Supreme Court of India (2010)
  • ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN vs DR. MADHAVRAO KINHALKAR & ORS — Supreme Court of India (2014)
  • VODAFONE IDEA LTD. (EARLIER KNOWN AS VODAFONE MOBILE SERVICES LIMITED) vs ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX CIRCLE 26 (2) & ANR — Supreme Court of India (2020)
  • Halliburton Technology India Private Limited vs Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax,, Circle 1(1), Pune & Ors — Bombay High Court (Mumbai Principal Seat) (2025)

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