The Calcutta Law Journal. July 1 1918

It is not the purpose of this article to speak of the rules govening the cross-examination of witnesses but rather the method and subject of such examination. [...] Still others thitik no matter what the circumstances are the character or reputation of the witness must be attacked one of the stock tatics of this class of practitioners being to assail the chastity of any witness who chances to be a woman. [...] The rule as to leading questions which obtains in direct eamination does not apply to the crosexamination and if a witness shows a disposition to hide or colour the truth it may be often is advisable to be forceful in the asking of questions although in many instances even of that kind better results are obtained by quieter methods. [...] Many times I have heard counsel persist in a certain line of croSexamination against the opinion of the Court where there was no appeal on questions of fact and the testimony they were endeavouing to get from a witness would not have the slightest effect on the result. [...] Although it was attempted to be shown by the evidence of the complainant that articles unfit for human food had been sold by the defendant there was no evidence whatever that the accused had knowledge of this when the goods were sold; yet the attorney for the defendant by a lengthy crosexamination of the complainant with reference to this considerably strengthened the case against his client.