S.1 Short title and extent

       (1) This Act may be called the Oaths Act, 1969.
       (2) It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

S.2 Saving of certain oaths and affirmations

       Nothing in this Act shall apply to proceedings before courts martial or to oaths, affirmations or declarations prescribed by the Central Government with respect to members of the Armed Forces of the Union.

S.3 Power to administer oaths

       (1) The following courts and persons shall have power to administer, by themselves, or subject to the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 6, by an officer empowered by them in this behalf, oaths and affirmations in discharge of the duties imposed or in exercise of the powers conferred upon them by law, namely:—
       (a) all courts and persons having by law or consent of parties authority to receive evidence;
       (b) the commanding officer of any military, naval, or air force station or ship occupied by the Armed Forces of the Union, provided that the oath or affirmation is administered within the limits of the station.
       (2) Without prejudice to the powers conferred by sub-section (1) or by or under any other law for the time being in force , any court, Judge, Magistrate or person may administ

Concise Legal Commentary on Section 3 of the Oaths Act, 1969

Introduction

Section 3 of the Oaths Act, 1969, delineates the authority vested in courts and certain persons to administer oaths and affirmations. It plays a crucial role in ensuring the sanctity and legal validity of affidavits, depositions, and sworn statements in judicial and quasi-judicial proceedings.

What does Section 3 Say?

Section 3 confers power upon:- All courts and persons having authority by law or consent of parties to receive evidence to administer oaths and affirmations.- Specific empowered officers, including judges, magistrates, and officers appointed by courts or the State Government, to administer oaths for affidavits in discharge of duties or in exercise of powers conferred by law.- It explicitly states that such powers extend to administering oaths for affidavits for judicial proceedings and other purposes, if duly empowered.

Essential Ingredients

• Power conferred upon courts and persons by law or by consent of parties.
• Authority to administer oaths or affirmations.
• The act of administering must be done in discharge of official duties or in exercise of lawful powers.
• Affidavits or declarations made under oath or affirmation must be relevant, truthful, and made before an authorized officer.

Scope of Section 3

• Encompasses all courts and authorities authorized to receive evidence, including judges, magistrates, and officers empowered by law.
• Extends to administering oaths for affidavits in judicial proceedings, as well as other purposes if empowered under specific provisions.
• Recognizes the role of notaries, oath commissioners, and officials appointed under law to administer oaths.
• Does not permit unempowered persons to administer oaths for affidavits intended for non-judicial purposes unless specifically authorized.

Punishment for Section 3 Violations

• The section itself does not prescribe penalties; however, false affidavits or perjury committed after oath administration may attract penal provisions under the Indian Penal Code (Sections 191-193) and other relevant laws.
• False statements made under oath can lead to prosecution for perjury, with penalties including imprisonment and fines.

Legal Comments

• "Authority" - Power to administer oaths is explicitly conferred upon courts and officers empowered by law or consent of parties - [Section 3(1), 3(2) of the Oaths Act, 1969].
• "Scope" - Extends to all courts and persons authorized under law, including judges, magistrates, notaries, and officers appointed under specific statutes - [Section 3(1), 3(2), 6 of the Oaths Act, 1969].
• "Empowered Officers" - Includes officers appointed under the High Court Rules and other statutory provisions, such as Notaries and Commissioners of Oaths - [Rule 1 of Chapter III, High Court of Karnataka Rules, 1959; Circulars of Rajasthan High Court; Circulars of other High Courts].
• "Jurisdiction" - Only those courts and officers specifically empowered under law can administer oaths for affidavits; unauthorized persons cannot do so for non-judicial purposes - [Section 3(2), 3(1), 6, 17 of the Oaths Act, 1969].
• "Affidavit" - Defined broadly to include affirmation and declaration, requiring solemnity, truthfulness, and made in presence of authorized officer - [Section 3(3) of the General Clauses Act, 1897; Sections 4, 6, 7 of the Oaths Act, 1969].
• "Procedural Safeguards" - Proper administration involves verifying identity, ensuring understanding of the oath, and recording details such as date, place, and officer's signature - [Rule 76, High Court of Kerala Rules, 1971; Circulars of High Courts].
• "Irregularities" - Irregularities in oath administration, such as administering oath without proper authority or in absence of deponent, do not necessarily invalidate affidavits unless prejudicial to justice - [Section 7 of the Oaths Act, 1969; Supreme Court judgments].
• "Child Witnesses" - Oaths to children under 12 require assessing understanding; if the child understands the duty of truthfulness, oath can be administered; otherwise, evidence remains admissible without oath - [Section 4(1), 4(2) of the Oaths Act, 1969; Section 118 of the Evidence Act].
• "Oaths in Non-Judicial Proceedings" - Oath Commissioners appointed under law or authorized officers can administer oaths for affidavits in non-judicial proceedings if law permits; unauthorized persons cannot - [Section 3(2)(b), 139 of CPC, 297 of Cr.P.C., Circulars].
• "Legal Validity" - Affidavits sworn before persons not authorized under law or without proper procedure may be challenged and held invalid, affecting their evidentiary value - [Supreme Court judgments; Circulars].
• "False Affidavits" - Filing false affidavits or swearing falsely is punishable under IPC (Sections 191-193) and can lead to prosecution for perjury or contempt - [Section 191, 192, 193 IPC].
• "Role of Notaries" - Notaries appointed under the Notaries Act, 1952, are authorized to administer oaths for affidavits in both judicial and non-judicial proceedings, provided procedure is followed - [Section 8 of Notaries Act, 1952].
• "Role of Court Officers" - Judges, magistrates, and officers appointed under law can administer oaths; their powers are limited to proceedings in which they are authorized - [Section 3(1), 3(2), 6 of the Oaths Act, 1969].
• "Legal Effect of Irregularities" - Irregularities in oath administration do not automatically invalidate affidavits unless they cause prejudice or affect the integrity of proceedings - [Section 7 of the Oaths Act, 1969; Supreme Court rulings].
• "Oath vs Affirmation" - Both are legally equivalent; choice depends on the person’s belief, but oath involves invocation of God, affirmation is a solemn declaration without religious connotation - [Section 4 of the Oaths Act, 1969].
• "Scope of Power" - The power to administer oaths is limited to officers and courts empowered by law; no general or extralegal authority exists for oath administration in non-judicial contexts - [Section 3(2), 3(1) of the Oaths Act, 1969].
• "Legal Consequences of Improper Oath" - Improper administration, such as administering oath without authority or in violation of law, can lead to affidavits being challenged, rendered inadmissible, or subject to penalties - [Supreme Court judgments].
• "Natural Justice and Procedure" - Proper oath administration ensures credibility and fairness; deviations may be rectified unless they cause substantial prejudice or miscarriage of justice - [Judicial precedents].

This concise commentary synthesizes the scope, legal provisions, and judicial interpretations of Section 3 of the Oaths Act, 1969, emphasizing the importance of lawful authority, procedural correctness, and the consequences of violations in oath administration.

S.4 Oaths or affirmations to be made by witnesses, interpreters and jurors

       (1) Oaths or affirmations shall be made by the following persons, namely:—
       (a) all witnesses, that is to say, all persons who may lawfully be examined or give, or be required to give, evidence by or before any court or person having by law or consent of parties authority to examine such persons or to receive evidence;
       (b) interpreters of questions put to, and evidence given by, witnesses; and
       (c) jurors:
       Provided that where the witness is a child under twelve years of age, and the court or person having authority to examine such witness is of opinion that, though the witness understands the duty of speaking the truth, he does not understand the nature of an oath or affirmation, the foregoing provisions of this section and the provisions of

S.5 Affirmation by person desiring to affirm

       A witness, interpreter or juror may, instead of making an oath, make an affirmation.

S.6 Forms of oaths and affirmations

       (1) All oaths and affirmations made under section 4 shall be administered according to such one of the forms given in the Schedule as may be appropriate to the circumstances of the case:
       Provided that if a witness in any judicial proceeding desires to give evidence on oath or solemn affirmation in any form common amongst, or held binding by persons of the class to which he belongs, and not repugnant to justice or decency, and not purporting to affect any third person, the court may, if it thinks fit, notwithstanding anything hereinbefore contained, allow him to give evidence on such oath or affirmation.
       (2) All such oaths and affirmations shall, in the case of all courts other than the Supreme Court and the High Courts, be administered by the presiding officer of the court himself, or, in the case of a Bench of Judges or Magistrates, by

S.7 Proceedings and evidence not invalidated by omission of oath or irregularity

       No omission to take any oath or make any affirmation, no substitution of any one for any other of them, and no irregularity whatever in the administration of any oath or affirmation or in the form in which it is administered, shall invalidate any proceeding or render inadmissible any evidence whatever, in or in respect of which such omission, substitution or irregularity took place, or shall affect the obligation of a witness to state the truth.

S.8 Persons giving evidence bound to state the truth

       Every person giving evidence on any subject before a court or person hereby authorised to administer oaths and affirmations shall be bound to state the truth on such subject.

S.9 Repeal and saving

       (1) The Indian Oaths Act, 1873 (10 of 1873) is hereby repealed.
       (2) Where, in any proceeding pending at the commencement of this Act, the parties have agreed to be bound by any such oath or affirmation as is specified in section 8 of the said Act, then, notwithstanding the repeal of the said Act, the provisions of sections 9 to 12 of the said Act shall continue to apply in relation to such agreement as if this Act had not been passed.

Sch Forms of oaths or affirmations

       The schedule
       (See section 6)
       Form No. 1 (Witnesses):—
       I do (Swear in the name of God) / (Solemnly Affirm) that what I shall state shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
       Form No. 2 (Jurors):—
       I do (Swear in the name of God) / (Solemnly Affirm) that I will well and truly try and true deliverance make between the State and the prisoner(s) at the bar, whom I shall have in charge, and a true verdict give according to the evidence.
       Form No. 3 (Interpreters):—
       I do (Swear in the name of God) / (Solemnly Affirm) that I will well and truly interpret and explain all questions put to and evidence given