What is an affidavit ? What are the rules that should be remembered while drafting an affidavit ?

Affidavit An affidavit is a written statement sworn before a person who has got authority to administer on oath. By the rules and practices of the court, the facts are proved by affidavits. Its rules are laid down in Order XIX Rule 1 of Civil Procedure Code. An affidavit being a statement or declaration on oath by the deponent, is an important document and the consequences of a false affidavit are serious. Therefore, great care is required in drafting it. Rules to be remembered while drafting an affidavit Not a single allegation more than is absolutely necessary should be inserted; The person making the affidavit should be fully described in the affidavit; An affidavit should be drawn up in the first person; An affidavit should be divided into paragraphs, numbered consecutively, and as far as possible, each paragraph should be confined to a distinct portion of the subject; Every person or place referred to in the affidavit should be correctly and fully described, so that he or it can be easily identified; When the declarant speaks of any fact within his knowledge he must do so directly and positively using the words "I affirm" or "I make oath and say"; Affidavit should generally be confined to matters within the personal knowledge of the declarant, and if any fact is within the personal knowledge of any other person and the petitioner can secure his affidavit about it, he should have it filed. But in interlocutory proceedings, he is also permitted to verify facts on information received, using the words "I am informed by so and so" before every allegation which is so verified. If the declarant believes the information to be true, he must add "and I believe it to be true". When the application or opposition thereto rests on facts disclosed in documents or copies, the declarant should state what is the source from which they were produced, and his information and belief as to the truth of facts disclosed in such documents; The affidavit should have the following oath or affirmation written out at the end: "I swear that this my declaration is true, that it conceals nothing, and that no part of it is false". OR "I solemnly affirm that this my declaration is true, that it conceals nothing and that no part of it is false". Any alterations in the affidavit must be authenticated by the officer before whom it is sworn. An affidavit has to be drawn on a non-judicial Stamp Paper as applicable in the State where it is drawn and sworn. An affidavit shall be authenticated by the deponent in the presence of an Oath Commissioner, Notary Public, Magistrate or any other authority appointed by the Government for the purpose. Affidavits are chargeable with stamp duty under Article 4, Schedule I, Stamp Act, 1899. But no stamp duty is charged on affidavits filed or used in Courts. Such affidavits are liable to payment of Court fee prescribed for the various Courts.