(1.) The question presented in these cases require us to resolve two conflicting lines of precedents on the one hand, as the Court stress that "it is necessary for Court to decide about admissibility of documents before they are exhibited in evidence". On the other, some of the learned Judges of this Court have no less categorically said that admissibility of evidence and proof of document should be reserved until judgment in the case is given.
(2.) It is not necessary to sketch the detailed contextual facts of all cases placed before us. Suffice it to refer two sets of precedents reflecting conflicting opinions giving rise to the present reference.
(3.) It was the principal contention of the learned Counsel for the petitioners that the objection to the admissibility of these documents which were mainly books which refer to religious practice of a particular sect, are so voluminous that it is not possible for the petitioners to determine which document should be made subject of cross-examination and which may not, having regard to the fact, the Court has exhibited the said documents tentatively subject to proof.