The question is whether ‘A’ stole the Laptop of ‘B’. Which one of the following is not relevant as per the Indian Evidence Act, 1872?
‘A’ knows how to operate the Laptop.
‘A’ sold the same Laptop to his friend.
Only ‘A’ was authorized to use his Laptop by using his finger impressions.
‘A’ had the key of ‘B’s room.
Answer is Wrong!
Answer is Right!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2018
– B) ‘A’ sold the same Laptop to his friend: Highly relevant as it shows possession and disposition of the stolen property (relevant under Section 8 – conduct, or Section 14 – state of mind).
– C) Only ‘A’ was authorized to use his Laptop by using his finger impressions: Highly relevant as it suggests exclusive access and opportunity (relevant under Section 7 – occasion, cause or effect). This fact might suggest that only ‘A’ could have stolen and then used the laptop easily.
– D) ‘A’ had the key of ‘B’s room: Highly relevant as it suggests opportunity and access to the location where the laptop was kept (relevant under Section 7).
– A) ‘A’ knows how to operate the Laptop: This fact, by itself, is not directly relevant to the *act of stealing*. Many people know how to operate a laptop. It does not prove opportunity, motive, preparation, or conduct related to the theft itself. It might be relevant if the charge involved illegal *use* of the laptop after theft, but the question is about *stealing*. Compared to the other options, knowing how to operate the device is the least, if at all, relevant fact concerning the theft itself.