Witness not excused from answering on ground that answer will criminate
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Summary
A witness cannot refuse to answer any question relevant to the issue just because the answer may incriminate them or expose them to a penalty. If compelled to answer, that testimony cannot be used to arrest or prosecute the witness or be proved against them in a criminal proceeding. The only exception is prosecution for giving false evidence based on that answer.
Example
Ravi is called to testify in a theft dispute and is asked whether he helped hide stolen goods. He cannot refuse to answer just because the reply might incriminate him. If compelled, his answer cannot be used to arrest or prosecute him or be proved against him in a criminal trial, except if he is later prosecuted for giving false evidence.
Bare Act
Enacted textA witness shall not be excused from answering any question as to any matter relevant to the matter in issue in any suit or in any civil or criminal proceeding, upon the ground that the answer to such question will criminate, or may tend directly or indirectly to criminate, such witness, or that it will expose, or tend directly or indirectly to expose, such witness to a penalty or forfeiture of any kind:
Provided that no such answer, which a witness shall be compelled to give, shall subject him to any arrest or prosecution, or be proved against him in any criminal proceeding, except a prosecution forgiving false evidence by such answer.
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