The word "evidence" is used in the Indian Evidence
Act, 1872 (hereinafter referred to as 'Act') in different
phrases, i.e. best evidence, direct evidence, circumstantial
evidence, documentary evidence, substantive evidence, corroborative
evidence, derivative evidence, hearsay evidence, indirect evidence,
oral evidence, original evidence, presumptive evidence, real
evidence, primary evidence and secondary evidence. The Hon'ble
Supreme Court in Kalyan Kumar Gogoi v. Ashutosh Agnihotri and Anr.
[AIR 2011 SC 760], has held that "The word
"evidence" is used in common parlance in three different
senses: (a) as equivalent to relevant, (b) as equivalent to proof,
and (c) as equivalent to the material, on the basis of which Courts
come to a conclusion about the existence or non-existence of
disputed facts." "
