When a witness is cross-examined, he may, in addition to the questions hereinbefore referred to, be asked any questions which tend-

(1) to lest his veracity.

(2) to discover who he is and what is his position in life, or

(3) to shake his credit, by injuring his character, although the answer to such questions might tend directly or indirectly to criminate him or might expose or tend directly or indirectly to expose him to a penalty or forfeiture:

¹[Provided that in a prosecution for rape or attempt to commit rape, it sh all not be permissible to put questions in the cross-examination of the prosecutrix as to her general immoral character.].

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1 . Inserted by Act 4 of 2003, section 2 (w.e.f. 31-12-2002).