Leading questions
Section 141 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 deals with leading questions. Any question suggesting the answer which the person putting it wishes or expects to receive is called a leading question. The Act came into force on 01 Sep 1872. Repealed by section 170 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (47 of 2023) with effect from 1 July 2024, but conduct before that date is still charged, tried and appealed under it.
Any question suggesting the answer which the person putting it wishes or expects to receive is called a leading question.
Section 141, The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (Act 1 of 1872).
Now in the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam
BSA 146 Leading questions Text carried over almost unchanged 90%
Measured by comparing the text of the two provisions, not taken from an official correspondence table — there is no machine-readable one. See both texts side by side before relying on it.
Both regimes are live. The repealed enactment still governs what happened while it was in force. We never redirect one to the other.
Judgments citing this section
These may be obiter dicta or a precedent, for you to study. These are the judgments where this section is quoted.
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… Direction of re-examination.—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 reexamination, the adverse party may further crossexamine upon that matter." Further, Section 141 of the Indian Evidence Act relates to leading questions, which reads thus: "141. Leading questions.—Any question suggesting the answer which the person putting it wishes or expects to receive, is called a leading question." Section 142 of the Indian Evidence Act states as to when they must not be asked. The …
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… Direction of re-examination.—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 reexamination, the adverse party may further crossexamine upon that matter." Further, Section 141 of the Indian Evidence Act relates to leading questions, which reads thus: "141. Leading questions.—Any question suggesting the answer which the person putting it wishes or expects to receive, is called a leading question." Section 142 of the Indian Evidence Act states as to when they must not be asked. The …
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… In this regard he had placed reliance on a decision of the honourable Supreme Court in Varkey Joseph v. State of Kerala [1993 SCC (Crl.) 1117] . It is observed therein that Section 141 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 defines leading question to mean "any question suggesting the answer which the person putting it wishes or expects to receive, is called a leading question". Section 142 provides leading question must not, if objected to by the adverse party, be asked in an examination-in-chief, or …
Questions about Section 141
What does Section 141 of the Indian Evidence Act deal with?
Section 141 of the Indian Evidence Act is headed "Leading questions". Any question suggesting the answer which the person putting it wishes or expects to receive is called a leading question.
How do I find court cases under Section 141 of the Indian Evidence Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: IEA 141, section 141 IEA, section 141 of the Indian Evidence Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
What should I read with Section 141 of the Indian Evidence Act, and has it changed?
For anything done on or after 1 July 2024 the provision to read is BSA 146 (Leading questions), which replaced it; conduct before that date is still charged, tried and appealed under this section.
When did Section 141 of the Indian Evidence Act come into force?
Section 141 of the Indian Evidence Act, cited as IEA 141, came into force on 01 Sep 1872, having been enacted on 15 Mar 1872. It is no longer in force.
Other sections of this Act
- 32. Cases in which statement of relevant fact by person who is dead or cannot be found, etc., is relevant1207 words
- 14. Facts showing existence of state of mind, or of body of bodily feeling1080 words
- 92. Exclusion of evidence of oral agreement809 words
- 8. Motive, preparation and previous or subsequent conduct773 words
- 65B. Admissibility of electronic records743 words
- 3. Interpretation-clause667 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Recovered from the consolidated text published by India Code (item e51341fa-7528-4327-9a57-5d194e16db6f). This page is not a substitute for legal advice.