IEA Section 93: Exclusion of evidence to explain or amend ambiguous document
Indian Evidence Act, 1872 · Chapter 6: The Exclusion Of Oral By Documentary Evidence
Repealed on 1 July 2024 and replaced by the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA).
When the language used in a document is, on its face, ambiguous or defective, evidence may not be given of facts which would show its meaning or supply its defects.
Illustrations
(a) A agrees, in writing, to sell a horse of B for "Rs. 1,000 or Rs. 1,500".
Evidence cannot be given to show which price was to be given.
(b) A deed contains blanks. Evidence cannot be given of facts which would show how they were meant to be filled.
Bare act text for reference, current to 30 June 2024. It is not legal advice; check the official gazette for authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 91. Evidence of terms of contracts, grants and other dispositions of property reduced to form of document
- 92. Exclusion of evidence of oral agreement
- 94. Exclusion of evidence against application of document to existing facts
- 95. Evidence as to document unmeaning in reference to existing facts
- 96. Evidence as to application of language which can apply to one only of several persons
- 97. Evidence as to application of language to one of two sets of facts, to neither of which the whole correctly applies
- 98. Evidence as to meaning of illegible characters, etc
- 99. Who may give evidence of agreement varying term of document
- 100. Saving of provisions of Indian Succession Act relating to wills