Question

During a court trial, the defence lawyer objects to certain papers being admitted as evidence. The judge states that only public documents under the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 can be accepted without strict proof. Which category of documents falls under public documents?

• A. Draft agreements between individuals
• B. Personal diaries of government officials
• C. Internal notes of a private company
• D. Judicial and executive acts of public officers

Hint:

Section 74 = Public documents; Section 75 = Private documents. Easy rule: Government-created = public.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding Section 74 of the Evidence Act.
Public documents include acts of public officers, official records, judicial acts, and executive acts of government authorities.
Step 2: Application to options.
Draft agreements, diaries, and private notes are all private documents. Only judicial and executive acts of public officers qualify as official public documents.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Thus, the correct category is judicial and executive acts of public officers.