BUDDHADASA, V. A. MAHENDRAN

1956 Present: Weerasooriya, J., and H. N. G. Fernando, J.

BUDDHADASA, Petitioner, and A. MAHENDRAN (Officer-in-Charge, Police Station, Matara), Respondent

S. C. 315-Application for a Writ of Mandamus

Information Book-Statements of persons recorded therein-Their evidentiary value in civil proceedings-Sight of a litigant to obtain copies of them-" Public documents "-" Right to inspect "-Proof of Public Documents Ordinance, s. 3- Evidence Ordinance, ss. 74, 76,100-Criminal Procedure Code, ss. 121 (1), 122- Mandamus.

A party to an action is not entitled to resort to section 3 of the Proof of Public Documents Ordinance in order to obtain certified copies of statements taken down in an Information Book in terms of sections 121 (1) and 122 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code unless he can show that at the trial of the action it will be necessary for him to adduce proof of the contents of those statements.

A statement reduced into writing by a police officer in terms of section 122 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code is not a statement of the witness, a record of which it purports to be, but is the statement of the police officer as to

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