evidenceEnglish origin
Hostile Witness
A witness who turns adverse to the party that called them, giving evidence contrary to their earlier statement.
Full Definition
A hostile witness gives testimony contradicting the party that called them. The court may permit that party to cross-examine the hostile witness. Their evidence is not automatically discarded � it can be partially accepted.
In Indian Law
Section 154 Indian Evidence Act (Section 137 BSA 2023). In Bhagwan Singh v. State of Haryana (1976), the Supreme Court held hostile witness testimony can be partially accepted.