(2) such questions are improper if the��imputation which they convey relates to matters so remote
in time, or of such a character, that the truth of the imputation would not affect, or would affect in
slight degree, the opinion of the Court as to the credibility of the witness on the matter to which he
testifies;
(3) such questions are improper if there is a great disproportion between the importance of the
importation made against the witness's character and the importance of his evidence;
(4) the Court may, if it sees fit, draw, from the witness's refusal to answer, the inference that the
answer if given would be unfavourable.
144. Question not to be asked without reasonable grounds. No such question as is referred to
in Article 143 ought to be asked, unless the person asking it has reasonable grounds for thinking that
the imputation which it conveys is well founded.
Illustrations
(a) An advocate is instructed by an attorney that an important witness is a dakait. This is a
reasonable ground for asking the witness whether he is a dakiat.
(b) An advocate is informed by a person in Court that an important witness is a dakait. The
informant, on being questioned by the advocate, given satisfactory reasons for his
statement. This is a reasonable ground for asking the witness whether he is a dakait.
(c) A witness, of whom nothing whatever is known, is asked at random whether he is a dakait.
There are here no reasonable grounds for the question.
(d) A witness, of whom nothing whatever is known, being questioned as to his mode of life
and means of living, gives unsatisfactory answers. This may be a reasonable ground for
asking him if he is a dakait.
145. Procedure of Court in case of question being asked without reasonable grounds. If the
Court is of opinion that any such question was asked without reasonable grounds, it may, if it was
asked by any advocate, report the circumstances of the case to the High Court or other authority to
which such advocate is subject in the exercise of his profession.
146. Indecent and scandalous question. The Court may forbid any question or inquiries which it
regards as indecent or scandalous, although such questions or inquiries may have some bearing on the
questions before the Court, unless they relate to facts in issue, or to matters necessary to be known in
order to determine whether or not the facts in issue existed.
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