195. When a witness is being cross-examined, the presiding officer should guide himself by the provisions of Sections 146, 148, 151 and 152 of the Evidence Act, and disallow any question which appears to him to be improper. He should see that much is not made of trifling discrepancies, that the examination is not protracted beyond reasonable limits even if the questions put be logically relevant, and that the witness is not subjected to questions which merely invite repetition of the story which he has already given in his examination-in-chief in the hope that he will change it in the repetition. In this connection Section 136 of the Evidence Act should be borne in mind, as it empowers the presiding officer to ask a party proposing to give evidence in what manner the alleged fact, if proved, will be relevant. The cross examiner must not be allowed to bully or take unfair advantage of the witness. Use should be made of disciplinary power conferred by Section 150 when its exercise appears to be called for.
