Alibi: Meaning, Explanation, Examples & Case Laws

Literal meaning	Elsewhere
Pronunciation	AL-ih-by

A plea that the accused was at another place when the crime took place, so could not have committed it.

Example

The accused says that at the time of the robbery he was attending a wedding in another city.

Statutory link

Section 11 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (now in the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam): facts that make the existence of a fact in issue highly probable or improbable are relevant.

Exceptions / limits

The accused must lead evidence to show the plea is likely true. A false alibi may add to the case against him.

Exam tip

Asked as a defence and under Section 11 of the Evidence Act.

Memory trick

Alibi = I was elsewhere.

Key takeaway

An alibi says the accused was somewhere else when the crime happened.