Only the party's own direct words can be used as an admission against them.

If a party specifically refers someone to a third person for information, that third person's statement can also count as the party's admission under this rule.

This applies to any random person mentioned during a conversation.

It only applies when the referral is express and specific, meaning the party clearly and deliberately points to that particular individual as the source of information on the disputed matter.

Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023

Section 18

Admissions by persons expressly referred to by party to suit

Statements made by persons to whom a party to the suit has expressly referred for information in reference to a matter in dispute are admissions. Illustration. The question is, whether a horse sold by A to B is sound. A says to B— “Go and ask C, C knows all about it”. C's statement is an admission.§

Why this exists

Ordinarily, only a person's own words count as their admission. But if someone deliberately tells another to rely on a specific third party's knowledge, the law treats that as the person effectively adopting whatever that third party says, since they vouched for that person's reliability. This rule, carried forward from the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (Section 20), prevents a party from escaping responsibility for information they endorsed by directing others to it.

Common misconceptions

Myth: Only the party's own direct words can be used as an admission against them.
Fact: If a party specifically refers someone to a third person for information, that third person's statement can also count as the party's admission under this rule.
Myth: This applies to any random person mentioned during a conversation.
Fact: It only applies when the referral is express and specific, meaning the party clearly and deliberately points to that particular individual as the source of information on the disputed matter.