Question

An unjustified and unexplained long delay on the part of the investigating officer in recording the statement of a material witness would render the evidence of such witness:

• A. Unreliable
• B. Inadmissible
• C. Inadmissible and unreliable
• D. None of the above

Hint:

Delay in recording statements affects reliability, not admissibility.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Effect of delay.
If there is undue delay in recording the statement of a witness, courts consider such testimony with caution.
Step 2: Legal position.
It does not become inadmissible but may be treated as unreliable unless corroborated by other evidence.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Thus, the evidence is unreliable, making option (a) correct.