Question

A hostile witness is one who

• A. refuses to appear in the court
• B. is under judicial custody
• C. refuses to answer questions raised by plaint’s counsel in the court
• D. gives evidence at trial against the party calling him

Hint:

A witness is "hostile" when they exhibit bias against the party that summoned them.
Section 154 of the Indian Evidence Act allows the calling party to cross-examine their own hostile witness with the court's permission.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understand the concept of a hostile witness.
A witness is ordinarily called by a party to support that party's case. Sometimes, a witness at trial gives testimony that is contrary to the interest of the party that called them.
Step 2: Define the term precisely.
A hostile witness (also called an adverse witness) is one who gives testimony unfavorable to or against the party that called them to the stand. In such a situation, the court may permit the calling party to cross-examine their own witness.
Step 3: Match with options.
Option (4) precisely captures this definition.
\[ \boxed{\text{gives evidence at trial against the party calling him}} \]