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What is the usual courtroom term for a witness who materially repudiates their earlier account and…

The usual term is hostile witness. Unfavourable testimony alone does not establish hostility. Under section 157 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, the court may allow…

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What is the usual courtroom term for a witness who materially repudiates their earlier account and displays an unwillingness to give truthful testimony?

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The usual term is hostile witness. Unfavourable testimony alone does not establish hostility. Under section 157 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, the court may allow a party to put cross-examination questions to its own witness without a formal declaration of hostility.

Option feedback

Option A

An interested witness has an interest in the outcome. That describes a possible source of bias.

Option B

Hostile witness is the usual courtroom term for the conduct described.

Option C

Expert witness describes a witness giving specialized opinion evidence.

Option D

Natural witness describes someone whose presence at the event would be expected.

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