A division bench of Kerala High Court held as follows regarding section 165 of Evidence Act.
From Para 80,
State of Kerala Vs Madhu @ Kutti Madhu on 6 Jan 2021This Section is intended to empower the Judge with the most extensive power possible for the purpose of getting at the truth. The effect of this Section is that in order to get to the bottom of the matter before it, the court should be able to look at and inquire into every fact, whatever it be. A trial Judge, in order to discover or to obtain proper proof of relevant facts, may exercise wide powers. He may approach the case from any point of view and is not tied down to the ruts marked out by the parties. He can ask (1) any question he pleases, (2) in any form, (3) at any time, (4) of any witness, (5) or of the parties and (6) about any fact relevant or irrelevant. No party is entitled to object to any such Crl.Appeal No.1357 of 2019 & Crl.Appeal (V) No.33 of 2019 question or order or to cross-examine the witnesses without getting leave of the court. Therefore under Section 165 of the Evidence Act the court has a right to ask the witness any relevant or even irrelevant question and the parties or their counsel cannot raise any objection to any such question (Also see Sanjay Kumar v. State of Bihar- 2014 (1) SCALE 751).
Citations : [ILR (2021) 1 Ker 247 : 2021 1 KHC 351]
Other Sources :
https://indiankanoon.org/doc/65912246/