Corroboration
Independent evidence that confirms or supports the testimony of another witness or piece of evidence.
Full Definition
Corroboration is confirmatory evidence from an independent source that strengthens the credibility of primary evidence. Courts require (or strongly prefer) corroboration in: sexual offences (historically), accomplice testimony, retracted confessions, and dying declarations that appear doubtful. Corroboration must relate to material particulars � it must connect the accused to the crime, not merely confirm peripheral details.
In Indian Law
The Indian Evidence Act does not require corroboration as a legal rule for all offences. But courts have developed practice-rules: in Delhi Domestic Working Women's Forum v. Union of India (1995), the Supreme Court noted that rape victims' testimony need not be corroborated � if the court finds her credible, conviction can follow. However, courts still look for corroboration in practice for approver testimony (Section 133 IEA).