There was a criminal conspiracy to smuggle gold into India from the Middle East. Gold was brought in steam launch and transshipped into India in boats standing out at sea, which would then shore it to be taken away in cars by persons waiting for it. While the last consignment was still with the smuggiers a raid took place, and many of them including X and Y were arrested. Thereafter, the Customs Authorities served notice and recorded their statements in answer to these notices almost simultaneously. The statements of the accused persons corroborated with each other at numerous points. Answer the following questions

(i) Is Section 30 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 applicable to the statement made in answer to the notice ?

(ii) What is the effect of the death of V on the joint trial before pronouncementof judgment ?

(iii) What is the impact of a confession made by a co -accused on Sections30 and 133 of the Evidence Act?    (10 marks)