Imminent Death Not Required For Dying Declaration Under S.32 Evidence Act

This report highlights a Supreme Court ruling clarifying that imminent death is not a mandatory requirement for a statement to qualify as a dying declaration under Section 32(1) of the Evidence Act. The Court explained that the focus is on whether the declarant made the statement in circumstances indicating awareness of approaching death and without coercion. The article discusses the case facts, judicial reasoning, and prior precedents analysed by the Bench. It emphasises the evidentiary value of dying declarations and the need for careful scrutiny to ensure voluntariness and reliability. The ruling guides trial courts on assessing such statements and underscores the balance between admissibility and evidentiary caution in serious criminal cases.