Section 14 The Prevention of Corruption Act,
Section 14 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 deals with the "Presumption where public servant accepts gratification other than legal remuneration."
However, it seems you might be asking about Section 14 of the Prevention of Corruption Act in general. Below is the accurate and updated information as per the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended by the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018):
📘 Section 14 – Accused person to be a competent witness
A person charged with an offence punishable under this Act shall be a competent witness for the defence and may give evidence on oath in disproof of the charges made against him or any person charged together with him at the same trial:
Provided that—
(a) he shall not be called as a witness except on his own request,
(b) his failure to give evidence shall not be made the subject of any comment by the prosecution or give rise to any presumption against himself or any person charged together with him at the same trial,
(c) he shall not be asked, and if asked shall not be required to answer, any question tending to show that he has committed or been convicted of or been charged with any offence other than the one he is charged with, or is of bad character, unless—(i) the proof that he has committed or been convicted of such other offence is admissible in evidence to show that he is guilty of the offence he is charged with; or
(ii) he has personally or by his advocate asked questions of any witness for the prosecution with a view to establishing his own good character, or has given evidence of his good character, or the nature or conduct of the defence is such as to involve imputations on the character of the prosecution witness; or
(iii) he has given evidence against any other person charged with the same offence.
🧾 Explanation:
Competent witness: The accused can testify as a witness in his own defence.
Protection: He can't be forced to testify, and if he chooses not to, it can't be held against him.
Character protection: Unless specific exceptions apply, questions about past offences or bad character are restricted.
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