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Madras High Court· 19 August 2026

Does a Wound Certificate that records no extent or nature of injury and no method of examination fall short of what is required?

Nambu Kaleeswaran v. The State of Tamil Nadu
CRL MP(MD).5823/2025 · 2026:MHC:3390 · Crl.A(MD) No.778 of 2023
Coram: Justice B.Pugalendhi
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Answer

A Wound Certificate that records no extent or nature of injury and no method of examination falls short of what is required.

Yes. A Wound Certificate that records no extent or nature of injury and no method of examination falls short of what is required. Clarity emerged only on perusal of the Case Sheet and Accident Register, neither of which had been marked as exhibits; utmost care is expected in preparing such documents, which must record both the facts observed and the conclusions drawn. (¶21)

Headnote

Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 — s.27 — Indian Evidence Act, 1872 — ss.45, 159 — Medical evidence — Expert witness — Wound Certificate — Suspension of sentence — Indian Evidence Act, 1872 — s.45 — Medical expert — Duty to depose objectively — Held: A medical expert occupies a position of trust and must give evidence that is relevant, reliable, clear, honest and impartial, whether it supports the prosecution or the defence. (¶16, 17) Indian Evidence Act, 1872 — s.159 — Refreshing memory — Verifying the deposition — Held further: A medical witness must peruse the records prepared by him before deposing, may refresh his memory from them, and must verify the deposition before signing it. (¶18, 20) Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 — s.27 — Wound Certificate — Nature of injuries to be recorded — Held further: A Wound Certificate that records no extent or nature of injury and no method of examination falls short of what is required. (¶21) Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 — Medico-legal proforma — Mandatory use directed — Held further: The revised Ministry proforma for medico-legal examination should be mandatory in sexual violence cases, form part of the Accident Register and be marked as an exhibit. Petitions dismissed with directions. (¶23, 25)

Headnote

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In the Court's own words
Paragraph 21This Court also notices that the Wound Certificate in the present case falls short of what is required. It does not specify the extent or nature of the injuries, the kind of examination conducted, or the manner in which the conclusion was arrived at. Clarity emerged only upon perusal of the Case Sheet and Accident Register, neither of which had been marked as exhibits before the trial Court. As stated in Modi's Textbook on Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology, utmost care is expected in the preparation of such documents, which must record both the facts observed and the conclusions drawn therefrom.
Acts & Sections
s.27 Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012s.45 Indian Evidence Act, 1872s.159 Indian Evidence Act, 1872

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Also decided in this judgment
Must a medical expert give evidence that is relevant, reliable, clear, honest and impartial, whichever side it supports?Must a medical witness verify the deposition before signing it and peruse the records he prepared before deposing?Must the revised proforma for medico-legal examination in sexual violence cases form part of the Accident Register and be marked as an exhibit?
Plain-language answer prepared by the LexStreak Editorial Desk — verify against the judgment. Source: Madras High Court. Corrections