Chapter 2

Facts and Relevancy of Facts

Law of evidence revolves round the facts of the case. Therefore, a definition of the term
'facts', was felt to be necessary and is included

in section 3 of the Act.

Interpretation of Words

3. Interpretation clause.--

In this Act, the following words and expressions are used in the following senses,
unless a contrary intention appears from the context:-

"Court".--

"Court" includes all Judges and Magistrates, and all persons, except arbitrators,
legally authorized to take evidence.

"Fact".--

"Fact" means and includes-

(1) any thing, state of things, or relation of things, capable of being

perceived by the senses;

(2) any mental condition of which any person is conscious.

Illustrations

(a) That there are certain objects arranged in a certain order in a

certain place, is a fact.

(b) That a man heard or saw something, is a fact.

(c) That a man said certain words, is a fact.

(d) That a man holds a certain opinion, has a certain intention, acts
in good faith, or fraudulently, or uses a particular word in a particular
sense, or is or was at a specified time conscious of a particular
sensation, is a fact.

(e) That a man has a certain reputation, is a fact.

The word 'facts' means some concrete or material fact to which the information
directly relates; Earabhadrappa v. State of Karnataka, AIR 1983 SC 446.
 'Fact' means something actually exists, as aspects of reality, Black's Law Dictionary,
7th Edn., p. 610.

"Relevant".--

One fact is said to be relevant to another when the one is connected with the other
in any of the ways referred to in the provisions of this Act relating to the relevancy
of facts.

"Relevant" means applying to a matter in question, affording something to the

purpose; especially of evidence as meaning supporting the contention of a party to
a suit.

Black's Law Dictionary, 7th Edn., P. 1293 defines as "Logically connected and
tending to prove or disprove a matter in issue having appreceable probative value.
That is, rationally tending to persuade people of probability or possibility of some
alleged fact.

"Facts in issue".--

The expression "facts in issue" means and includes-any fact from which, either by
itself or in connection with other facts, the existence, non-existence, nature, or
extent of any right, liability, or disability, asserted or denied in any suit or
proceeding, necessarily follows.

Explanation.-Whenever, under the provisions of the law for the time being
in force relating to Civil Procedure, any Court records an issue of fact, the
fact to be asserted or denied in the answer to such issue, is a fact in issue.

Illustrations

A is accused of the murder of B.

At his trial the following facts may be in issue:-

That A caused B's death;

That A intended to cause B's death;

That A had received grave and sudden provocation from B;

That A at the time of doing the act which caused B's death, was, by reason
of unsoundness of mind, incapable of knowing its nature.

"Facts" may either "facts in issue" which are the principal matters in dispute
or relevant facts which are evidentiary and which directly or by inference
prove or disprove the facts in issue".

"Document".--
 "Document" means any matter expressed or described upon any substance by
means of letters, figures or marks, or by more than one of those means, intended
to be used, or which may be used, for the purpose of recording that matter.

Illustrations

A writing is a document;

Words printed, lithographed or photographed are documents;

A map or plan is a document;

An inscription on a metal plate or stone is a document;

A caricature is a document.

The meaning of document or of a particular part of it is to be sought for in the

document itself. That is, undoubtedly, the primary rule of construction to which
sections 90 to 94 of the Indian Evidence Act, give statutory recognition and effect,
with certain exceptions contained in sections 95 to 98 of the said Act. Of course the
document reads as a whole and not piecemeal; Delhi Development Authority v.
Durga Chand Kaushish, MANU/SC/0329/1973 : AIR 1973 SC 2609: 1973 Ren CR
708: (1973) 2 SCC 825: (1973) 2 SCWR 642.

"Evidence".-

"Evidence" means and includes-

Oral Evidence.--

(1) all statements which the Court permits or requires to be made before it by
witnesses, in relation to matters of fact under inquiry,

Somawanti v. State of Punjab, MANU/SC/0034/1962 : AIR 1963 SC 151: (1963) 1

SCA 548: 1963 (2) SCJ 85: (1963) 2 Mad LJ (SC) 18: (1963) 2 Andh WR (SC) 18:
(1963) 33 Comp Cas 745: (1963) 2 SCR 774.

Documents Evidence.--

(2) all documents including electronic records produced for the inspection of the
Court,

Somawanti v. State of Punjab, MANU/SC/0034/1962 : AIR 1963 SC 151: (1963) 1

SCA 548: 1963 (2) SCJ 85: (1963) 2 Mad LJ (SC) 18: (1963) 2 Andh WR (SC) 18:
(1963) 33 Com Cas 745: (1963) 2 SCR 774.

Evidence means "any species of proof, or probative matter, legally presented at the
trial of an issue, by the act of the parties and through the medium of witnesses,
records, documents, exhibits, concrete objections, etc., for the purpose inducing
belief in the minds of the Court or jury as to their contention; Victoria Xavier v.
 Greater Cochin Development Authority, AIR 1993 Ker 95: ILR 1992 (2) Ker 603:
1992 (1) Ker LJ 609: 1992 (1) Ker LT 613: 1994 LACC 347, Black's Law Dictionary
5th Edn., (quoted).

"Proved".--

A fact is said to be proved when, after considering the matters before it, the Court
either believes it to exist, or considers its existence so probable that a prudent man
ought, under the circumstances of the particular case, to act upon the supposition
that it exists.

A fact is said to be proved when, after considering the matters before it, the Court
either believes it to exist or considers its existence so probable that a prudent man
ought, under the circumstances of the particular case, to act upon the supposition
that it exists. Further what is required is production of such materials on which the
Court can reasonably act to reach the supposition that a fact exists.

The proof of the fact depends upon degree of probability of its having existed. The
standard required for reaching the separation is that of a prudent man acting in any
important matter concerning him; Hawkins v. Powells, (1911) 1 KB 988.

Further the proof does not mean proof of rigid mathematical demonstration,
because that is impossible, it must mean such evidence as would induce a
reasonable man to come to a particular conclusion; M. Narasimha Rao v. State of
Andhra Pradesh, AIR 2001 SC 318.

In M. Narsingha Rao v. State of Andhra Pradesh, AIR 2001 SC 318; the Supreme
Court held that a fact is said to be proved, when after considering the matter before
it the Court either believe it to exist or considers its existence so probable that a
prudent man ought, under circumstances of particular case, to act upon supposition
that it exists. This is the definition of the word 'proved' in the Evidence Act. What is
required is production of such materials on which the Court reasonably act to reach
the supposition that the fact exist. Proof of facts depends upon degree of possibility
of having existed. The standard required for reaching the supposition is that of a
prudent man acting in any important matter concerning him.

"Disproved".--

A fact is said to be disproved when, after considering the matters before it, the
Court either believes that it does not exist, or considers its non-existence so
probable that a prudent man ought, under the circumstances of the particular case,
to act upon the supposition that it does not exist.

What is required is material on which the Court can reasonably act for reaching the
supposition that a certain fact exists. The proof of fact depends upon the degree of
probability of it having existed. The standard required for reaching the supposition
is that of a prudent man acting on any important matter concerning him; Lokeman
Shah v. State of West Bengal, MANU/SC/0245/2001 : AIR 2001 SC 1760: 2001 Cr
LJ 2196: 2001 AIR SCW 1646: 2001 (2) Crimes 212: JT 2001 (4) SC 520: (2001)
5 SCC 235: (2001) 3 SCALE 297: 2001 SCC (Cri) 829: 2001 (3) Supreme 305:
2001 (2) UC 33.
 "Not Proved".-A fact is said not to be proved when it is neither proved nor disproved.

Not Proved.--It indicates state of mind between two states of minds ""proved" and
"disproved", when one is unable to decide how the matter precisely stands. It negates both
proof and disproof"; Emperor v. Shafi Ahmad, (1929) 31 Bom LR 515.

Fact not Proved.--

A fact which is not proved does not necessarily mean it is a false one. Section 3 of
the Evidence Act gives definitions of various words and expressions. The expression
"proved" is followed by definition "disproved".

A fact is said to be "not proved" when it is neither proved or disproved. This is

followed by the definition of "disproved". A fact is said "non proved" when it is
neither proved nor disproved.

A fact which is "not proved" may be true or false. A doubt lingers about its truth,
merely because it is not proved, one may jump to conclusion that it is disproved. A
fact is disproved normally by the person who claims that an alleged fact is not true.

Prima Facie and Proof.--

A prime facie case is not the same thing as "proof" which is nothing but belief
according to the conditions laid down in the Evidence Act. It is a fallacy to say that
because a Magistrate has found a prima facie case to issue process, therefore, he
believes the case to be true in the sense that the case is proved. But depends upon
the credibility of witness, and their evidence, cannot be rejected.

Evidence in Civil and Criminal Cases.--

There is no difference between the general rules of evidence in Civil and Criminal
cases, and the definition "prooved" in section 3 of the Evidence Act, does not draw
a distinction between Civil and Criminal Cases. Nor this definition insist on perfect
proof because absolute certainly amounting to demonstration is rarely to be had in
the affairs of life. Nevertheless, the standard of measuring proof prescribed by
definition is that of a person of prudence and practical good sense.

The same evidence, which may be sufficient to regard a fact, as proved in Civil suit,
may be considered insufficient for a conviction in a criminal action. While in former,
a mere prepondance of probability may constitute an adequate basis of decision, in
the latter a far higher degree of assurance and judicial certitude is requisite
phenomenon for conviction.

Not Proved.--

Phrase Not proved means neither the fact is proved with certainty nor the fact is
believed to exist. The phrase Not Proved is between the phrase proved and
disproved. And the phrase not proved is the result of careful scrutiny of the person
of ordinary prudence that the fact neither exists with certainty nor its non-existence
is proved with certainty. It is the provisions between existence and non-existence
 of the fact in the mind of a man of ordinary prudence; Vijaya Singh v. State of Uttar
Pradesh, AIR 1990 SC 1450.

"India".--

"India" means the territory of India excluding the State of Jammu and Kashmir.]

the expressions "Certifying Authority", "electronic signature", "Electronic Signature

Certificate", "electronic form", "electronic records", "information", "secure
electronic record", "secure electronic signature" and "subscriber" shall have the
meanings respectively assigned to them in the Information Technology Act, 2000
[and also as per amendment made by the Information Technology (Amendment)
Act, 2008 (10 of 2009)].

Facts in issue

Q. What do you mean by term `facts in issue'?

The evidence of any particular case has to be confined to the facts of the case. The first
duty of any Court of law, therefore, is to ascertain the area of controversy between the
parties. The 'facts' which are in dispute are 'facts in issue'. Section 3 of the Evidence Act,
1872, while defining "facts in issue" only adds that, in addition to being in controversy, the
fact should be such that the question of liability should depend upon it.

Elements of 'facts in issue'.--

The requirement that a fact in dispute will be regarded as a fact in issue only if the
fact is such that by itself or in connection with other facts is disputed. Therefore, it
can have two elements:

(i) the fact should be in dispute between the parties; and

(ii) the fact should touch the question of rights or liabilities.

In criminal matters, the allegations in the charge-sheet constitute the facts in

issue.1 In civil matters the process of ascertaining 'facts in issue' is known as
framing of issues.2

Facts in issue is nothing but the facts which are in dispute. Evidence becomes
necessary only in reference to facts which are in controversy or dispute between
the parties. Further, the fact should be such that the question of liability should
depend upon it. The following illustration makes clear the point:-

X is accused of the murder of Y. At his trial the following facts may be in

issue - that X caused Y's death; that X intended to cause Y's death; that X
had received grave and sudden provocation from Y; that X at the time of
doing that act which caused Y's death, was, by reason of unsoundness of
mind incapable of knowing the nature of the act.

Therefore, facts in issue are those facts which a plaintiff must prove in order to get
an adjudication in his favour on which a defendant may prove to defeat the suit.
 Facts in issue will depend upon the provisions of the substantive law applicable to
the offence.

Whatever be the facts in issue, their existence has to be proved to the satisfaction
of the Court before the Court can be called upon to pronounce a judgment on the
basis of those facts.

Facts In Issue.--

The distinction between the facts in issue and relevant facts is of fundamental
importance and must be thoroughly comprehended in order to understand and
appreciate the Scheme of the Evidence Act.

A substantive law defines the rights and liabilities of parties in the form of certain
abstract propositions or formulae and the object of every suit or other judicial
proceedings is to ascertain whether the, rights claimed, or the Liabilities sought to
be enforced by one person against another does or does not exist. A party to a
litigation seeking to enforce a right or liabilities against his opponent, in order to
obtain a verdict in his favour by a tribunal has to establish all such facts as to
constitute the rights or liabilities. These "necessary constituents" are "facts-in-
issue".3

Q. What is `relevancy of facts'?

Relevancy of facts

Facts which are themselves not in issue may help in proving facts in issue. They are used
as foundation for inferences respecting facts in issue. According to Stiphen the word
'relevant' means that, "Any two facts to which it is applied are so related that according to
the common course of events one either taken by itself or in connection with some other
facts proves or renders probable the past, present or future existence or non-existence of
the other".

_______________

1. Chapter XIX of Cr. P.C., 1973.

2. Order XIV, RR. 1-7 of C.P.C., 1908.

3. Sir James Fitzjames Stephen, Introduction to Framing of Evidence Act, p. 12, Fipson Evidence, 7th Edn., p.
110.

Relevant Fact.--

A 'Relevant fact' is also known by its Latin name 'factum probans' i.e., a fact that
proves.

The "relevancy" and "admissibility" are often used as synonyms but their legal
implication are distinct and different. The fact which are relevant may not be
admissible, for example communication made by spouses during marriage or
between an Advocate and his client though relevant, are not admissible, so also
facts which are admissible may not be relevant for example, question permitted to
be put in cross-examination to test the veracity or impeach the credit of witnesses
though not relevant are admissible; Ram Behari v. State of
Bihar, MANU/SC/0302/1998 : AIR 1998 SC 1850.

"Relevant".-

One fact is said to be relevant to another when the one is connected with
the other in any of the ways referred to in the provisions of this Act relating
to the relevancy of facts.

Therefore, relevancy under the Evidence Act, does not depend upon mere logic but
it should be 'legally relevant' and should be fitted in any of the following provisions,
viz.,

(i) facts logically connected with the facts in issue (sections 5-16),

(ii) admissions and confessions (sections 17-31),

(iii) statements by non-witnesses (sections 32-33),

(iv) statements under special circumstances (sections 34-37),

(v) judgment in other cases (sections 40-44),

(vi) opinions of third persons (sections 45-51),

(vii) evidence as to character (sections 52-55).

The word 'relevant' is not defined under the Evidence Act, rather, it provides for the
relationship which indicates 'when one fact becomes relevant to another'. Normally,
facts relevant to an issue are those facts which are necessary for proof or disproof
of a fact in issue. Thus, relevant facts (or evidentiary facts) or factum probans are
those, which are capable of affording a reasonable presumption as to either the
facts in issue or the principal matters in dispute. The word 'relevant' has been held
to be 'admissible'; Lakhmi v. Haider, 3 CWN 268. Relevant facts are not themselves
in issue, that are foundations of inferences regarding them. For example, "when X
is accused of the murder of Y", the 'relevant facts' are - X had a motive and
opportunity to kill Y, he had made preparations by buying a knife, etc., or after the
murder he was seen running with blood-stained knife in hand.

Therefore, relevancy indicates such relationship with the facts in issue as convinces
or has a tendency to convince the judge to the existence or otherwise of the facts
in issue. The word 'relevant' means that any two facts to which it is applied are so
related to each other that according to the common course of events one taken by
itself or in connection with other facts proves or renders probable the existence or
non-existence of the other. It should be noted that circumstantial evidence is
evidence that relates to facts, other than those in issue, which by human
experience, have been found to be so associated with the fact in issue that the latter
may be reasonably inferred therefrom.
 Though questions put in cross-examination are not always determinative in finding
an accused guilty, they are certainly relevant; Jesu Asir Singh v.
State, MANU/SC/7830/2007 : AIR 2007 SC 3015: 2007 Cr LJ 4310: 2007 AIR SCW
5472: 2007 (57) All Ind Cas 12: 2007 (3) Chand Cr C 111: 2007 (3) Crimes 333:
2007 (4) JCC 2629: 2007 (4) Rec Cr R 38: (2007) 10 SCALE 110.

Document.--

'Document' means any matter expressed or described upon any substance by

means of letters, figures or marks, or by more than one of these means, intended
to be used, or which may be used for the purpose of recording that matter.1

It should be noted that the word 'document' includes photographs, tape recordings,
letters, printings, books, inscriptions, carvings, outline maps, xeroxed materials,
microfilms, carbon copies, cartoons, caricatures, murals, symbols, insignias or any
other substance on which communications, words, thoughts, ideas, plans may be
recorded. Thus, interpreted, the section would include even 'codes', tattoo marks'
voice or sound patterns recorded in any form and on any material would form an
evidence? Even tape-recordings of speeches and conservations are 'documents' and
therefore admissible before the courts of law; In Pratap Singh v. State of Punjab,
AIR 1964 SC 74; N. Sri Rama Reddy v. V.V. Giri, AIR 1971 SC 1162: 1970 Ker LT
390: 1970 SCD 646: 1970 UJ (SC) 604: (1971) 1 SCA 394: 1971 (1) SCJ 483:
(1971) 1 SCR 399; Yusufalli v. State of Maharashtra, AIR 1967 SC 76; R.M. Malkani
v. State of Maharashtra, MANU/SC/0204/1972 : AIR 1973 SC 157: 1973 Cr LJ 228:
1973 Mah LJ 92: 1973 MPLJ 224: MANU/SC/0204/1972 : (1973) 1 SCC 471: 1973
SCC (Cri) 389: (1973) 2 SCWR 776; Ziyauddin Burhanuddin Bukhari v. Brijmohan
Ramdass Mehra, MANU/SC/0277/1975 : AIR 1975 SC 1788: (1976) 2 SCC 17:
1975 Supp SCR 281 their Lordships of the Supreme Court held that tape-recording
of speeches and conversations are 'documents' and therefore admissible.

"Document" means records, writtings, precepts, instructions or directions and

means a document read as a whole and not peacemeal; Administrator of the
Specified Undertaking of the Unit Trust of India v. Garware Polyster
Ltd., MANU/SC/0375/2005 : AIR 2005 SC 2520: 2005 AIR SCW 2798: 2005 CLC
668: JT 2005 (5) SC 300: (2005) 10 SCC 682: 2005 (4) SCJ 258: 2005 (4) SLT
442: 2005 (6) SRJ 413: (2005) 5 SCALE 54: 2005 (4) Supreme 359.

Presumption of Facts.--

4. "May presume".-Whenever it is provided by this Act that the Court may

presume a fact, it may either regard such fact as proved, unless and until it is
disproved, or may call for proof of it.

_______________

1. See section 3 of the Evidence Act.

"Shall presume".-Whenever it is directed by this Act that the Court shall presume
a fact, it shall regard such fact as proved, unless and until it is disproved.
 "Conclusive proof".-When one fact is declared by this Act to be conclusive proof
of another, the Court shall, on proof of the one fact, regard the other as proved,
and shall not allow evidence to be given for the purpose of disproving it.

Evidence Act, declares a fact as final and conclusive, its impact is crucial because
no party can then give evidence for the purpose of disproving that fact. This is
substance of section 4 which defines three kinds of presumption; Calcutta Municipal
Corpr. v. Pawan Kamar, MANU/SC/0011/1999 : AIR 1999 SC 738.

PRESUMPTIONS

__________________________________________
Presumption Presumption
of facts of law
or or
Natural Artificial
Presumption Presumption
__________________________________________
Rebuttable Irrebutable
Presumption Presumption
of law of law
(shall Presume) (Conclusive proof)

These presumptions are of three types:

'May presume'.-- 'shall presume' and 'conclusive proof', - 'may presume' leaves it to the
discretion of the Court to make the presumption as per the circumstance of the case, "shall
presume" leaves no option with the Court not to make the presumption. The Court is bound
to take the fact as proved until evidence is given to disprove it. In this sense such
presumption is also rebuttable. "Conclusive prove" gives an artificial probative effect by
the law to certain facts. No evidence is allowed to be produced with a view to the combating
that effect. In this sense, this is irrebutable presumption.

Presumption

Meaning of presumption.--

The presumption is a legal or factual assumption drawn from the existence of certain
facts. The presumption raised under a statute has only on evidentiary value. The
presumption drawn in respect of one fact may be an evidence even for the purpose
of drawing presumption under another; M. S. Narayana Menon alias Mani v. State
of Kerala, MANU/SC/2881/2006 : (2006) 6 SCC 39: AIR 2006 SC 3366: 2006 Cr LJ
4607: 2006 AIR SCW 4652: 2006 (3) Crimes 117: 2006 (35) OCR 43: 2006 (8) SRJ
275: (2006) 6 SCALE 393: 2006 SCC (Cri) 30: 2006 (5) Supreme 547: 2006 (2)
UC 1289.
Evidence may be given of facts in issue and relevant facts

Section 5 of the Act, provides that:

5. Evidence may be given of facts in issue and relevant facts.-Evidence may be

given in any suit or proceedings of the existence or non-existence of every fact in
issue and of such other facts as are hereinafter declared to be relevant, and of no
others.

Explanation.-This section shall not enable any person to give evidence of a

fact which he is disentitled to prove by any provision of the law for the time
being in force relating to Civil Procedure.

Illustrations

(a) A is tried for the murder of B by beating him with a club with the intention of
causing his death.

At A's trial the following facts are in issue:-

A's beating B with the club;

A's causing B's death by such beating;

A's intention to cause B's death.

(b) A suitor does not bring with him, and have in readiness for production at the
first hearing of the case, a bond on which he relies. This section does not enable
him to produce the bond or prove its contents at a subsequent stage of the
proceedings, otherwise than in accordance with the conditions prescribed by the
Code of Civil Procedure.

This section declares that in a suit or proceeding evidence may be given of the
existence or non-existence of:

(i) facts in issue; and

(ii) of such other facts as are declared to be relevant in sections 6 to 55.

The facts-in-issue are those facts which are necessary to prove or disprove, to
establish or refute a case. The facts-in-issue are normally clear from the pleadings
and are a matter for the judges to determine. The facts-in-issue must normally be
proved by evidence.1

The facts-in-issue are distinguishable from collateral facts "which affects the proofs
of facts in issue.2

A fact-in-issue is a necessary ingredient of materialism because from such fact,

either by itself or in connection with other facts, the existence or non-existence of
a right or liability necessarily follows.
 A relevant fact on the other parlance, is not a necessary ingredient of a right or
liability, but is one that merely renders probable the existence or non-existence of
any ingredient fact of a right or Liability. A fact-in-issue is called the principal fact
and the relevant fact is called the "evidentiary fact".

_______________

1. Halsbury's Law of England, Vol. 17, 4th Edn., para 30.

2. Heydoris Evidence Cases and Materials.

Expression 'and of no others': meaning of.--

Section 5 by using the expression 'and of no other' excludes everything which is not
declared relevant under any of the sections 6 to 55; R. v. Poncho, ILR 7 Cal 671.
All evidence tendered must be shown to be admissible under some of the following
sections of the Chapter. A party trying to adduce a particular evidence has to show
that the evidence desired to be adduced is relevant under one or more of the
sections 6 to 55; Dwijesh v. Naresh, MANU/WB/0056/1945 : AIR 1945 Cal 492.

Logical and legal relevancy of facts.--

Sometimes in order to prove the existence or non-existence of the facts in issue,

certain other facts may be given in evidence, called relevant or evidentiary facts.

A fact is said to be logically relevant to another when it contains such a casual

relation with the other as to render probable the existence or non-existence of the
latter. All facts which are logically relevant are not necessarily legally relevant. One
fact is said to be legally relevant to another only when the one is connected with
the other in any of the ways referred to in sections 6 to 55 of the Act. Whatever is
legally relevant is normally logically relevant. However, only legally relevant facts
are considered as relevant facts. A confession made to a police officer may appear
to be logically relevant but it is not legally relevant, for section 25 declares that it
cannot be used as evidence against the person making it; E. v. Bhagwandas
Tulsidas, 47 Bom LR 997.

Relevancy and Admissibility.--

The terms relevancy and admissibility are not identical. They have different
meanings. Relevancy refers to facts which are logically probative i.e., which afford
material for the conclusion that a particular fact in issue exists or does not exist.
Admissibility, on the other hand refers to facts which the Court will permit to be
given in evidence. Under the English Law, the former is called logical relevancy and
the later is called legal relevancy. All facts which are logically relevant need not be
legally relevant or admissible but all facts which are admissible must necessarily be
logically relevant. Under the Indian Evidence Act, the question of relevancy has
been dealt with under sections 5 to 55 and that of admissibility under section 56
onwards.

The practice which can be a better substitute is whenever an objection is raised

during evidence taking stage regarding admissibility of any material or item of oral
 evidence, the Trial Court can make a note of such obligations subject to such
objections being decided at the last stage in the final judgment; Bipin Shantilal
Panchal v. State of Gujarat, AIR 2001 SC 1158: 2001 Cr LJ 1254: 2001 AIR SCW
841: 2001 (1) Crimes 288: JT 2001 (3) SC 120: (2001) 3 SCC 1: 2001 (1) SCJ
460: 2001 (3) SRJ 437: (2001) 2 SCALE 167: 2001 SCC (Cri) 417: 2001 (2)
Supreme 65: 2001 (1) UJ (SC) 573.

The rules of relevancy declares certain facts relevant, rule admissibility lay down as
to whether a certain form of evidence about relevant fact, may be allowed or
excluded under the circumstances of a case. What is the material (fact) which may
be produced before a court in a case is a first question. Relevancy means what facts
may be proved before any court of law. Thus under the Evidence Act, the terms
"Relevant" or "the facts that may be proved" are synonyms.

The admissibility is means and the method of proving the relevant facts.

In Ram Bihar Yadav v. State of Bihar, MANU/SC/0302/1998 : AIR 1998 SC 1850:

1998 Cr LJ 2515: 1998 AIR SCW 1647: 1998 (2) Crimes 254: JT 1998 (3) SC 290:
(1998) 4 SCC 517: 1998 (2) SCJ 253: (1998) 2 SCR 1097: (1998) 3 SCALE 200:
1998 SCC (Cri) 1085: 1998 (4) Supreme 178; the Supreme Court speaking through
Mohd. Quadari J., said that, more than often the expression relevancy and
admissibility are used as synonyms but their legal implications are different because
more often than not facts which are relevant may not be admissible for example
the communication made by spouse during marriage, the communication between
an advocate and his client, though for example, questions permitted to be cross-
examined to test the veracity or to impeach credit of witness though not relevant
are admissible.

Q. Distinguish between `relevancy' and `admissibility'?

Distinction between Admissibility and Relevancy.--

Admissibility Relevancy
1. Admissibility is not based on logic 1. Relevancy is based on logic
and
but on strict rules of law. probability.
2. The rules of admissibility is 2. The rules of relevancy is
described described
after section 56 of the Evidence Act, from sections 5 to 55.
1872.
3. The rule of admissibility declares 3. The rules of relevancy
declares what