Section 243 Evidence Act 2011
Section 243 Evidence Act 2011 is titled ‘Exclusion of evidence on grounds of public interest‘. It is under Part XII (TAKING OF ORAL EVIDENCE AND EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES) of the Act. It states as follows:
(1) A Minister, or in respect of matters to which the executive authority of a State extends, the Governor or any person nominated by him, may in any proceedings object to the production of documents or request the exclusion of oral evidence when after consideration he is satisfied that the production of such document or the giving of such oral evidence is against public interest.
(2) Any such objection as mentioned in subsection (1) of this section shall if taken –
(a) Before trial, be by affidavit, or
(b) At the hearing, be by certificate produced by a public officer.
(3) The court shall have a discretion whether or not to uphold any such objection, and may in determining how to exercise its discretion, inspect such documents or be informed as to the nature of the oral evidence to which the objection relates.