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Example
Case laws
Exceptions / limits
Opposite / Related
Exam tip
Memory trick
Key takeaway
Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus
| Literal meaning | False in one thing, false in everything |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | FAL-sus in OO-noh FAL-sus in OM-nih-bus |
If a witness lies about one important point, the rest of the evidence may be doubted. In India it is not a binding rule of law, but only a caution for the court.
Example
A witness is shown to have lied about where he was standing. The court may be careful before accepting the rest of his evidence.
Case laws
- Nisar Ali v. State of U.P. (1957), Supreme Court: the maxim is not a rule of law in India. The court must separate the true from the false.
Exceptions / limits
Indian courts may accept the part of a witness's evidence that is reliable and reject the rest.
Exam tip
Remember that Indian courts do not treat it as a rule of law.
Memory trick
One lie, whole story under suspicion.
Key takeaway
In India a proved lie only calls for caution; it does not reject all the evidence.
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