Understanding the Term ‘Evidence’ under Section 3 of the Evidence Act, 1872: A Simplified Study Guide
Q.1 Discuss the term ‘evidence’. Ans. Section-3 of the Evidence Act, 1872 defines the term ‘evidence’ in the following way. "Evidence" means and includes- (1) all statements which the Court permits or requires to be made before it by witnesses , in relation to matters of fact under inquiry : such statements are called oral evidence ; (2) all documents produced for the inspection of the Court ; such documents are called documentary evidence. (3) all materials or objects relating to blood , semen , hair , all body material , organ or part of organ , Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid (DNA) , finger impression , palm impression , iris impression and foot print or any other similar material or object which may- (i) establish that an offence has been committed or establish a link or relation between an offence and its victim or an offence and its offender ; and (ii) prove or disprove a fact : such materials or objects are called physical or forensic evidence . ...