90. Presumption as to documents thirty years old

Where any document, purporting or proved to be thirty years old, is producedfrom any custody which the Court in the particular case considersproper, the Court may presume that the signature and every other partof such document, which purports to be in the handwriting of anyparticular person, is in that person's handwriting, and, in the caseof a document executed or attested, that it was duly executed andattested by the persons by whom it purports to be executed andattested.

Explanation.--Documents are said to be in proper custody if theyare in the place in which, and under the care of the person with whom,they would naturally be; but no custody is improper if it is proved tohave had a legitimate origin, or if the circumstances of theparticular case are such as to render such an origin probable.This explanation applies also to section 81.

Illustrations.

(a) A has been in possession of landed property for a long time.He produces from his custody deeds relating to the land showing histitles to it. The custody is proper.

(b) A produces deeds relating to landed property of which he isthe mortgagee. The mortgagor is in possession. The custody is proper.

(c) A, a connection of B, produces deeds relating to lands in B'spossession which were deposited with him by B for safe custody. The custody is proper.