HEARSAY: EXCEPTIONS AND APPLICATIONS IN MODERN TRIALS

AUTHOR – REWA SHARMA*, STUDENT AT O.P. JINDAL GLOBAL UNIVERSITY

* sharmarewa257@gmail.com & LinkedIn Profile – https://www.linkedin.com/in/rewa-sharma-b463062b8

BEST CITATION – REWA SHARMA, HEARSAY: EXCEPTIONS AND APPLICATIONS IN MODERN TRIALS, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (1) OF 2025, PG. 261-264, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

Information you have heard but are known to be true
Although the term “hearsay” may sound technical, it’s something we all encounter in our everyday lives—whether it’s a rumour, gossip, or something we’ve “heard on the grapevine.” In the context of law, however, hearsay has a very specific meaning: it refers to statements made outside of court, which are presented in court to prove the truth of the matter asserted. While we might casually share or hear such information in daily conversation, the rules of evidence in a courtroom are much stricter. Hearsay evidence is generally excluded from trials because it lacks the reliability and trustworthiness that come from direct testimony and cross- examination. That said, hearsay isn’t entirely shut out of the legal process—it’s governed by a set of exceptions that allow certain statements to be admitted, depending on their context and the circumstances under which they were made. Understanding hearsay and its exceptions is crucial for both legal practitioners and anyone who finds themselves involved in a trial, as these rules can significantly impact the outcome of a case.