The Supreme Court of India has reiterated that evidence gathered through unlawful means may still be admissible in court if it is relevant to the case.
The Court explained that the primary test for admitting evidence is its relevance to the issues under consideration. Therefore, even if the method used to obtain the material was improper or illegal, the evidence itself cannot automatically be rejected if it helps establish facts connected to the dispute.
While examining the legal principles governing evidence in judicial proceedings, the Bench noted that Indian law places greater emphasis on the probative value of evidence rather than the legality of the process through which it was collected. As long as the evidence assists the court in determining the truth of the matter, it may be taken into account during trial.
The Court also referred to established principles under the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, which allows courts to admit facts that are relevant to the issues involved in a case. The ruling highlighted that the Act does not automatically exclude evidence merely because it was obtained through improper means.
At the same time, the Court clarified that judges retain the authority to assess the impact of such evidence on the fairness of the proceedings. If admitting the material would cause serious prejudice or undermine the integrity of the trial, the court may still decide to exclude it.
The observation reinforces the approach followed in Indian jurisprudence where the relevance and reliability of evidence play a crucial role in determining whether it should be considered by the court.
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