‘Court’, under the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, does not include which o

‘Court’, under the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, does not include which of the following?

Magistrates
Arbitrators
Civil Judges
Persons legally authorized to take evidence
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2024
The correct answer is B.
Section 3 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 defines “Court”. According to this definition, “Court” includes all Judges and Magistrates, and all persons, *except arbitrators*, legally authorised to take evidence.
The definition explicitly excludes arbitrators from the purview of the Indian Evidence Act. While arbitrators conduct proceedings where evidence is presented, they are not bound by the technical rules of evidence laid down in the Act unless the arbitration agreement specifically requires it. Magistrates and Civil Judges are included as they function as courts administering justice under various laws. Persons legally authorized to take evidence (like Commissioners appointed by a court to record evidence) are also included, provided they are not arbitrators.