Facts showing the existence of any state of mind, such as intention, knowledge, good faith, negligence, rashness, ill-will or good-will towards any particular person, or showing the existence of any state of body or bodily feeling, are relevant, when the existence of any such state of mind or body or bodily feeling, is in issue or relevant.
Explanations
- A fact relevant as showing the existence of a relevant state of mind must show that the state of mind exists, not generally, but in reference to the particular matter in question.
- But where, upon the trial of a person accused of an offence, the previous commission by the accused of an offence is relevant within the meaning of this section, the previous conviction of such person shall also be a relevant fact.
Illustrations
- A is accused of receiving stolen goods knowing them to be stolen. It is proved that he was in possession of a particular stolen article.
The fact that, at the same time, he was in possession of many other stolen articles is relevant, as tending to show that he knew each and all of the articles of which he was in possession, to be stolen. - A is accused of fraudulently delivering to another person a counterfeit coin which, at the time when he delivered it, he knew to be counterfeit.
The fact that, at the time of its delivery, A was possessed of a number of other pieces of counterfeit coin is relevant.
The fact that A had been previously convicted of delivering to another person as genuine a counterfeit coin knowing it to be counterfeit is relevant. - A sues B for damage done by a dog of B’s which B knew to be ferocious.
The facts that the dog had previously bitten X, Y, and Z, and that they had made complaints to B, are relevant. - The question is whether A, the acceptor of a bill of exchange, knew that the name of the payee was fictitious.
The fact that A had accepted other bills drawn in the same manner before they could have been transmitted to him by the payee if the payee had been a real person, is relevant, as showing that A knew that the payee was a fictitious person. - A is accused of defaming B by publishing an imputation intended to harm the reputation of B.
The fact of previous publications by A respecting B, showing ill-will on the part of A towards B, is relevant, as proving A’s intention to harm B’s reputation by the particular publication in question.
The facts that there was no previous quarrel between A and B, and that A repeated the matter complained of as he heard it, are relevant, as showing that A did not intend to harm the reputation of B. - A is sued by B for fraudulently representing to B that C was solvent, whereby B, being induced to trust C, who was insolvent, suffered loss.
The fact that at the time when A represented C to be solvent, C was supposed to be solvent by his neighbours and by persons dealing with him, is relevant, as showing that A made the representation in good faith. - A is sued by B for the price of work done by B, upon a house of which A is owner, by the order of C, a contractor.
A’s defence is that B’s contract was with C.
The fact that A paid C for the work in question is relevant, as proving that A did, in good faith make over to C the management of the work in question, so that C was in a position to contract with B on C’s own account, and not as agent for A. - A is accused of the dishonest misappropriation of property which he had found, and the question is whether when he appropriated it, he believed in good faith that the real owner could not be found.
The fact that public notice of the loss of the property had been given in the place where A was, is relevant, as showing that A did not in good faith believe that the real owner of the properly could not be found.
The fact that A knew, or had reason to believe, that the notice was given fraudulently by C, who had heard of the loss of the property and wished to set up a false claim to it, is relevant, as showing the fact that A knew of the notice did not disprove A’s good faith. - A is charged with shooting at B with intent to kill him. In order to show A’s intent, the fact of A’s having previously shot at B may be proved.
- A is charged with sending threatening letters to B. Threatening letters previously sent by A to B may be proved as showing intention of the letters.
- The question is, whether A has been guilty of cruelty towards B, his wife. Expressions of their feeling towards each other shortly before or after the alleged cruelly, are relevant facts.
- The question is, whether A’s death was caused by poison.
Statements made by A during his illness as to his symptoms are relevant facts. - The question is, what was the state of A’s health at the time when an assurance on his life was effected.
Statements made by A as to the state of his health at or near the time in question are relevant facts. - A sues B for negligence in providing him with a carriage for hire not reasonably fit for use, whereby A was injured.
The fact that B’s attention was drawn on other occasions to the defect of that particular carriage, is relevant.
The fact that B was habitually negligent about the carriages which he let to hire is irrelevant. - A is tried for the murder of B by intentionally shooting him dead.
The fact that A on other occasions shot at B is relevant as showing his intention to shoot B.
The fact that A was in the habit of shooting at people with intent to murder them is irrelevant. - A is tried for a crime.
The fact that he said something indicating an intention to commit that particular crime is relevant.
The fact that he said something indicating a general disposition to commit crime of that class is irrelevant
Simplified Explanation
Section 14 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 deals with the relevancy of facts that show the existence of a person’s state of mind, body, or bodily feelings when such states are in question or relevant to a case. This section is crucial when determining intent, knowledge, good faith, negligence, ill-will, or any other mental or physical state that may be pertinent to the facts in issue.
Text of Section 14:
“Facts showing the existence of any state of mind, such as intention, knowledge, good faith, negligence, rashness, ill-will or good-will towards any particular person, or showing the existence of any state of body or bodily feeling, are relevant, when the existence of any such state of mind or body or bodily feeling is in issue or relevant.”
Explanation:
- State of Mind: This includes a person’s intention, knowledge, good faith, negligence, rashness, ill-will, or goodwill toward someone. When such a mental state is relevant to the case, facts that help establish or refute that state of mind are admissible as evidence.
- Example: If a person is accused of murder, their intention or premeditation would be relevant to prove whether the act was deliberate.
- State of Body or Bodily Feeling: This includes a person’s physical condition or feelings at a particular time, which may be relevant to the case.
- Example: In a case of personal injury, evidence showing the victim’s pain or physical condition following the incident would be relevant to establish the extent of the injury.
- When These States Are in Issue or Relevant: For the evidence to be admissible under Section 14, the state of mind, body, or bodily feeling must be directly in issue or relevant to the case. This means that the case involves questions about what a person was thinking, feeling, or experiencing physically at a particular time.
Example:
Suppose a person, A, is on trial for fraud, and one of the key issues is whether A acted in good faith when entering into a contract with B.
- Fact in Issue: Whether A acted in good faith or with the intent to deceive B.
- Relevant Facts under Section 14:
- State of Mind (Intention): Evidence that A had previously made similar fraudulent transactions could be relevant to show that A likely had the intention to deceive B in this case as well.
- State of Mind (Knowledge): If A had received a legal notice warning them about the illegality of their actions but proceeded anyway, this would be relevant to show that A had knowledge of the potential fraud.
- State of Mind (Good Faith): Conversely, if A had sought legal advice before entering the contract and had been assured that everything was above board, this could be relevant to show that A acted in good faith.
- State of Body (Physical Condition): If A claims that they were physically incapacitated at the time of signing the contract and were unaware of the details, evidence of A’s medical condition at that time could be relevant. For instance, medical records showing that A was under heavy sedation could support this claim.
- Bodily Feeling: In a case of assault, the victim’s testimony about feeling extreme pain after the attack, corroborated by medical reports, would be relevant to show the extent of the injury.
Significance:
Section 14 is important because it allows the court to consider the internal conditions (mental or physical) of individuals involved in a case, which may not be directly observable but are crucial to understanding their actions or behavior. This section ensures that evidence related to a person’s state of mind, body, or bodily feelings is admissible when it is necessary to establish intent, negligence, good faith, or any other relevant mental or physical condition. By doing so, it provides a fuller picture of the circumstances surrounding the facts in issue, aiding the court in reaching a just and accurate verdict.
