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  • Documents cannot be marked through the husband of the plaintiff solely based on his examination as PW2. In multiple cases, PW2 is identified as a relative, such as uncle or father of the plaintiff, and his role varies from witness supporting the case to a family member providing background information. For example, in ["A.PRIYADARSINI vs M.KUMARESH - Madras"], PW2 is the husband's uncle who filed a proof affidavit, but his personal documents (Ex.P10) are considered family documents, and no indication suggests he has authority to mark or authenticate documents on behalf of the plaintiff.

  • The status of PW2 as a family member or witness does not inherently grant him authority to mark or authenticate documents on behalf of the plaintiff. In ["2018 and CMP.No.4232 - Madras"], PW2 is examined as a doctor, and the court notes that no objection was raised when documents were marked, but this does not imply he has marking authority for the plaintiff’s documents. Similarly, in ["P.K.KOTHAI vs T.RAVICHANDRAN - Madras"], PW2, a family member, merely supports the case without any indication of being authorized to mark documents.

  • In general, document marking is a judicial act that requires proper foundation and is typically done by the court or with court approval. Merely examining as PW2 or being a family member does not confer the authority to mark documents unless explicitly authorized or recognized by the court. For instance, in ["K. Bhaskaran Nair VS Habeeb Mohammed - Kerala"], the marking of Exts. Al to A7 and B1 to B12 was done through the court process, not by PW2.

  • Main insight: The examination of PW2 as a witness (whether family member, doctor, or otherwise) does not automatically allow him to mark documents on behalf of the plaintiff. Marking documents requires court permission or proper procedural foundation, not merely the witness’s status as examined.

Analysis and Conclusion:Based on the provided sources, documents can only be marked through court procedures and not solely by the husband of the plaintiff or by PW2 unless explicitly authorized. The role of PW2 as a witness does not inherently include authority to mark documents. Therefore, the husband or PW2 cannot independently mark documents on behalf of the plaintiff; such actions must follow proper court procedures.

Can Documents Be Marked Through the Husband of the Plaintiff as PW2?

In Indian court proceedings, marking documents as exhibits is a critical step for their admissibility as evidence. A common query arises: whether documents can be marked through the husband of the plaintiff who is examined as PW2? This question often surfaces in civil suits, matrimonial disputes, and other cases where family members serve as witnesses.

The short answer is yes, generally, documents can be marked through the husband of the plaintiff examined as PW2, but only if the document is properly proved according to law, including compliance with attestation and execution proof requirements. This blog delves into the legal principles, conditions, limitations, and practical insights drawn from judicial precedents.

Legal Principles Governing Marking and Proving Documents

Under the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, specific provisions regulate how documents, especially those required to be attested (like wills or certain agreements), must be proved. Section 68 mandates that for attested documents, at least one attesting witness must be examined if alive and capable of giving evidence. This ensures the document's authenticity is verified through direct testimony. Myladimmal Surendran VS State of Kerala - 2010 0 Supreme(SC) 812

Section 71 offers flexibility: if the attesting witness denies execution or does not recollect it, the document can be proved by other evidence. However, mere marking as an exhibit or admission of signatures does not amount to proof of execution or contents. Myladimmal Surendran VS State of Kerala - 2010 0 Supreme(SC) 812Raj Kumari VS Surinder Pal Sharma - 2019 0 Supreme(SC) 2291

The law emphasizes strict compliance, particularly for wills under Section 63(c) of the Indian Succession Act, where attestation is paramount. Without proper proof, documents risk rejection, regardless of who tenders them. Raj Kumari VS Surinder Pal Sharma - 2019 0 Supreme(SC) 2291

Admissibility Through the Husband of the Plaintiff as PW2

The husband of the plaintiff can be examined as PW2 (Plaintiff's Witness 2) and used to mark documents if he qualifies as an attesting witness or has knowledge of the execution. Courts have permitted this in various cases, provided procedural safeguards are met.

For instance, in matrimonial proceedings, husbands or relatives are frequently examined as PW2 to tender documents. In one case, The husband was examined as PW1 and his sister was examined as PW2... Exts. A1 and A2 were marked on the side of the petitioner. DINESAN C V vs PREETHA PAVITHRAN - 2019 Supreme(Online)(KER) 30978 Similar patterns appear in multiple rulings, showing family members routinely marking exhibits without issue when properly examined. DINESAN.C.V vs PREETHA PAVITHRAN AND ANOTHER - 2019 Supreme(Online)(KER) 54117DINESAN C V vs PREETHA PAVITHRAN - 2019 Supreme(Online)(KER) 1520

In a medical report context, the two reports were marked as Exs.P6 and P7 and the Doctor from the Coimbatore Medical College had been examined as PW2... there was no objection on the side of the revision petitioner, when the documents were marked. 2018 and CMP.No.4232 This illustrates that lack of objection during examination strengthens admissibility.

Conditions for Examining PW2 and Marking Documents

To mark documents through PW2:- He must be competent: Available, capable, and ideally an attesting witness present at execution.- Proper testimony: PW2 must depose on execution, signatures, and attestation. Cross-examination opportunities must be allowed.- Compliance with Sections 68/71: If PW2 is the attesting witness and affirms execution, the document is proved. If he denies or forgets, supplement with handwriting experts, other witnesses, or circumstantial evidence. Myladimmal Surendran VS State of Kerala - 2010 0 Supreme(SC) 812

In criminal and civil trials, plaintiffs examine multiple PW including relatives: the complainant examined herself as PW1 and examined her husband Mr.Raju as PW2 and marked documents as Exs. Rathnamal Antony VS Malar - 2015 Supreme(Mad) 2117 No bar exists solely because PW2 is the husband.

Case Examples from Judicial Precedents

Judgments reinforce this practice:- In a POCSO case, prosecution examined 18 witnesses and marked 10 documents, with doctors as PW10/PW11 marking medical reports. JEYABALAN S/O. MARUTHAMUTHU vs THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE - 2020 Supreme(Online)(MAD) 6390Jeyabalan VS State the Inspector of Police - 2020 Supreme(Mad) 2413- Motor accident claims saw doctors examined as PW2 to mark reports: He also examined the Doctor as PW.2 and through him got marked documents as per Exs.P13 to P15. Narayanaswamy @ Narayanappa VS N. Manjunath - 2019 Supreme(Kar) 766- Matrimonial suits frequently involve husbands as PW1/PW2 marking family documents: The petitioner-husband got himself examined as PW1 and got marked documents from Exs. P1 to P14. Amit S/o Vinay Welangi VS Nupur W/o Amit Welangi - 2018 Supreme(Kar) 1104Amit VS Nupur

These examples show courts accept marking through PW2, including relatives, absent objections or proof lapses.

Limitations and Exceptions

Despite permissibility, pitfalls exist:- Strict for attested documents: Failure to examine an attesting witness leads to inadmissibility. Mere exhibit marking proves nothing. Myladimmal Surendran VS State of Kerala - 2010 0 Supreme(SC) 812- Witness unavailability: If PW2 (husband) is dead or incapable, prove via other evidence, but credibility is key. Raj Kumari VS Surinder Pal Sharma - 2019 0 Supreme(SC) 2291- Wills and stringent rules: For wills, the law is more stringent, requiring at least one attesting witness to testify. Raj Kumari VS Surinder Pal Sharma - 2019 0 Supreme(SC) 2291- Objections and cross-examination: As in 2018 and CMP.No.4232, unchallenged marking stands, but post-trial challenges may fail if not raised timely.

In divorce cases, unsubstantiated allegations by one spouse can constitute cruelty, but document proof remains independent. Amit S/o Vinay Welangi VS Nupur W/o Amit Welangi - 2018 Supreme(Kar) 1104

Practical Considerations and Recommendations

When relying on PW2 (plaintiff's husband):- Summon him properly and prepare for cross-examination.- Ensure testimony covers execution details.- Backup with secondary evidence if needed (e.g., handwriting reports).- Avoid over-reliance on marking; focus on probative value.

Recommendations:- Strictly follow Sections 68 and 71. Myladimmal Surendran VS State of Kerala - 2010 0 Supreme(SC) 812- If PW2 falters, pivot to other proof. Raj Kumari VS Surinder Pal Sharma - 2019 0 Supreme(SC) 2291- In family cases, leverage precedents like those in Kerala High Court rulings. DINESAN C V vs PREETHA PAVITHRAN - 2019 Supreme(Online)(KER) 30978

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Documents can typically be marked through the husband of the plaintiff as PW2 if he is an attesting witness and procedures under the Indian Evidence Act are followed. Courts prioritize proper proof over the witness's relation to parties.

Key Takeaways:- Proof of execution trumps mere marking.- Sections 68/71 provide the framework.- Family members as PW2 are common and acceptable with compliance.- Always supplement weak testimony.

This post provides general information based on legal principles and is not specific legal advice. Consult a qualified lawyer for your case.

References:1. Myladimmal Surendran VS State of Kerala - 2010 0 Supreme(SC) 812 – Proof under Sections 68/71.2. Raj Kumari VS Surinder Pal Sharma - 2019 0 Supreme(SC) 2291 – Wills and attestation.3. Various cases like 2018 and CMP.No.4232, JEYABALAN S/O. MARUTHAMUTHU vs THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE - 2020 Supreme(Online)(MAD) 6390, etc., for procedural examples.

#IndianEvidenceAct, #DocumentProof, #LegalWitness
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