Indian Evidence Act, 1872
90. Presumption as to documents thirty years old
Where any document,
purporting or proved to be thirty years old, is produced from any custody which
the Court in the particular case considers proper the Court may presume that
the signature and every other part of such document, which purports to be in
the handwriting of any particular person, is in that person’s handwriting, and,
in the case of document executed or attested, that it was duly executed and
attested by the persons by whom it purports to be executed and attested.
Explanation – Documents are said
to be in proper custody if they are in the place in which, and under the care
of the person with whom, they would naturally be; but no custody is improper if
it is proved to have had a legitimate origin, or the circumstances of the
particular case are such as to render such an origin, probable.
This explanation
applies also to section 81.
Illustrations
(a) A has been in possession
of landed property for a long time. He produces from his custody deeds relating
to the land showing his titles to it. The custody is proper.
(b) A produces deeds
relating to landed property of which he is the mortgagee. The mortgagor is in
possession.
(c) A, a connection of
B, produces deeds relating to lands in B’s possession, which were deposited
with him by B for safe custody. The custody is proper.