Indian Evidence Act, 1872
50. Opinion on relationship, when relevant
When the Court has to
form an opinion as to the relationship of one person to another, the opinion
expressed by conduct, as to the existence of such relationship, of any person
who, as a member of the family or otherwise, has special means of knowledge on
the subject, is a relevant fact:
Provided that such
opinion shall not be sufficient to prove a marriage in proceedings under the
India Divorce Act, 1869 (4 of 1869) or in prosecutions under sections 494, 495,
497 or 498 of the Indian Penal Code, (45 of 1960)
Illustrations
(a) The question is,
whether A and B, were married.
The fact that they
were usually received and treated by their friends as husband and wife, is
relevant.
(b) The question is,
whether A was the legitimate son of B. The fact that A was always treated as
such by members of the family, is relevant.
Illustration
An expert may give an
account of experiments performed by him for the purpose of forming his opinion.