Facts which are the occasion, cause or effect of facts in issue. –– Facts which are the occasion,
cause or effect, immediate or otherwise, of relevant facts, or facts in issue, or which constitute the state of
things under which they happened, or which afforded an opportunity for their occurrence or transaction,
are relevant.
Illustrations
(a) The question is, whether A robbed B.
The facts that, shortly before the robbery, B went to a fair with money in his possession, and that he showed it,
or mentioned the fact that he had it, to third persons, are relevant.
(b) The question is, whether A murdered B.
Marks on the ground, produced by a struggle at or near the place where the murder was committed, are relevant
facts.
(c) The question is, whether A poisoned B.
The state of B’s health before the symptoms ascribed to poison, and habits of B, known to A, which afforded an
opportunity for the administration of poison, are relevant facts.
S.7 Facts which are the occasion, cause or effect of facts in issue
Section 7 allows facts related to the event or transaction to be admitted as evidence, even if they are not directly part of the facts in issue. This can include facts that provide the occasion (context or situation) in which the main event occurred, the cause (the trigger or reason) for the event, or the effect (the result or consequence) of the event.
Essentials of Section 7
Occasion
The occasion refers to the circumstances or situation in which the facts in issue occurred. For example, in a murder case, the occasion might be an argument or dispute between the parties that led to the crime.
Cause
The cause is the event or action that directly triggered the facts in issue. For instance, in an assault case, the cause might be the defendant’s act of attacking the victim.
Effect
The effect is the outcome or result of the facts in issue. In the case of a theft, the effect could be the stolen property or harm caused to the victim.
Whole Transaction
The whole transaction refers to all facts, actions, and events that are connected and contribute to the issue at hand. For example, in a car accident case, the whole transaction would include the actions of both parties before, during, and after the collision.
Case Laws
R v. Bedingfield (1879)
The court in this case elaborated on the concept of cause and effect in criminal law, stating that facts related to the event—such as the occasion, cause, or effect—are relevant as they help explain the circumstances surrounding the case.
State of Maharashtra v. Chanderbhan (1990)
In this case, the Supreme Court of India applied Section 7 and considered the effect of the accused’s actions in the context of the crime. The court emphasized the importance of considering all facts related to the event to understand the whole transaction and make an informed judgment.
This explanation of Section 7 of the Indian Evidence Act is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as legal advice.
