[Comparative Study] Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA) & Indian Evidence Act, 1872

Check out Taxmann's Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 which is a comprehensive legal resource for the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023. It includes the text of the new Act along with a comparative study of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 with the Indian Evidence Act 1872. For easy understanding, it features innovative tools like tables, section keys, subject index, etc. It is a vital resource for legal professionals, students, and the general public.

1. Aims and Objects of Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA)

• The avowed aims and objects of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (Evidence Act), as per its long title, were to consolidate, define and amend the law of evidence.
• The avowed aims and objects of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA), as per its long title, are to consolidate and to provide for general rules and principles of evidence for fair trial.
• The BSA recognizes that enunciating the rules and principles of evidence is not an end in  The aim for providing for general rules and principles of evidence is to ensure a fair trial.
• It is submitted that the provisions of the BSA should be interpreted in the light of the avowed aim expressed in long title to achieve a fair trial.

Statement of Objects and Reasons to the BSA, 2023 are as under:

“2. The law of evidence (not being substantive or procedural law), falls

in the category of ‘adjective law’, that defines the pleading and methodology by which the substantive or procedural laws are operationalised. The existing law does not address the technological advancement undergone in the country during the last few decades.

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4. The proposed legislation, namely “Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam”, inter alia, provides as under:—

• it provides that ‘evidence’ includes any information given electronically, which would permit appearance of witnesses, accused, experts and victims through electronic means;
• it provides for admissibility of an electronic or digital record as evidence having the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as any other document;
• it seeks to expand the scope of secondary evidence to include copies made from original by mechanical processes, copies made from or compared with the original, counterparts of documents as against the parties who did not execute them and oral accounts of the contents of a document given by some person who has himself seen it and giving matching hash value of original record will be admissible as proof of evidence in the form of secondary evidence;
• it seeks to put limits on the facts which are admissible and its certification as such in the  courts. The proposed Bill introduces more precise and uniform rules of practice of courts in dealing with facts and circumstances of the case by means of evidence.

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6. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objectives.”

2. Section 1 of BSA: Short Title, Application and Commencement

Corresponding provision

• Section1 of the BSA corresponds to section 1 of the Evidence Act

Territorial extent of the legislation

• Section 1 of the Evidence Act provided that it extended to the whole of India. Section 1 of the BSA omits this provision on territorial  It also omits the definition of “India” given in section 3 of the Evidence Act.
• The possible reason for such omission is that any stipulation that the BSA extends to the whole of India would call into question the admissibility of evidence digitally generated outside the borders of India.

Applicability to Courts-martial

• Section 1 of the Evidence Act provided that the said Act did not apply to Courts-martial convened under the Army Act, the Naval Discipline Act or the Indian Navy (Discipline) Act or the Air Force Act.
• Section 1 (2) of the BSA omits the words “convened under the Army Act, the Naval Discipline Act or the Indian Navy (Discipline) Act or the Air Force Act”.
• Thus, unlike the Evidence Act, the BSA shall also apply to courts-martial convened under the Army Act, the Naval Discipline Act or the Indian Navy (Discipline) Act or the Air Force Act.

3. Section 2 of BSA: Definitions

Corresponding provision

• Section 2(1) of the BSA corresponds to section 3 of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

3.1 Section 2(1)(a) of BSA: Court

Corresponding provision

• Section 2(1)(a) of the BSA corresponds to section 3, para 1, of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

3.2 Section 2(1)(b) of BSA: Conclusive Proof

Corresponding provision

• Section 2(1)(b) of the BSA corresponds to section 4, para 3, of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

3.3 Section 2(1)(c) of BSA: Disproved

Corresponding provision

• Section 2(1)(c) of the BSA corresponds to section 3, para 8, of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

3.4 Section 2(1)(d) of BSA: Document

Corresponding provision

• Section 2(1)(d) of the BSA corresponds to section 3, para 5, of the Evidence Act

Electronic & digital records

• Section 2(1)(d) of BSA gives a new definition of the word “document” which is compatible with the modern digital era.
• The new definition specifically includes electronic and digital records within the scope of the term “document”.
• The five statutory illustrations in old definition have been retained. The new definition gives a sixth statutory illustration No. (vi) which clarifies that“An electronic record on emails, server logs, documents on computers, laptop or smartphone, messages, websites, locational evidence and voice mail messages stored on digital devices are documents”.
• Under the new definition, to qualify as “document” or “documentary evidence”, it is not necessary that matter be expressed or described upon any substance by means of letters, figures or marks only.
• Any matter which is “otherwise recorded” upon any substance “by any other means” will also qualify as “document” or “documentary evidence”. It appears that video recording on mobile phone would qualify as “documentary evidence” as it is “otherwise recorded” upon any substance “by any other means”.

3.5 Section 2(1)(e) of BSA: Evidence

Corresponding provision

• Section 2(1)(e) of the BSA corresponds to section 3, para 6, of the Evidence Act

Electronic/Digital records

• Under the new definition of “evidence” in section 2(1)(e) of the BSA, ‘statements including statements given electronically’ are to be treated as evidence as well as oral evidence. This is a logical corollary to section 530 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) providing for examination of complainant and witnesses in electronic mode by use of electronic communication or by audio-video electronic means.
• Under Evidence Act, only electronic records were treated as documentary evidence and there was no express mention of digital records in definition of ‘evidence’ under Evidence Act.
• Section 2(1)(e) of BSA specifically includes electronic or digital records as documentary evidence.

3.6 Section 2(1)(f) of BSA: Fact

Corresponding provision

• Section 2(1)(f) of the BSA corresponds to section 3, para 2, of the Evidence Act

Illustration

• Illustration (e) in section 3 (2nd para) of Evidence Act which states that “(e) That a man has a certain reputation, is a ” is omitted in new definition of “fact” in section 2(1)(f)

3.7 Section 2(1)(g) of BSA: Facts in Issue

Corresponding provision

• Section 2(1)(g) of the BSA corresponds to section 3, para 4, of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

3.8 Section 2(1)(h) of BSA: May Presume

Corresponding provision

• Section 2(1)(h) of the BSA corresponds to section 4, para 1, of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

3.9 Section 2(1)(i) of BSA: Not Proved

Corresponding provision

• Section 2(1)(i) of the BSA corresponds to section 3, para 9, of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

3.10 Section 2(1)(j) of BSA: Proved

Corresponding provision

• Section 2(1)(j) of the BSA corresponds to section 3, para 7, of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

3.11 Section 2(1)(k) of BSA: Relevant

Corresponding provision

• Section 2(1)(k) of the BSA corresponds to section 3, para 3, of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

3.12 Section 2(1)(l) of BSA : Shall Presume

Corresponding provision

• Section 2(1)(l) of the BSA corresponds to section 4, para 2, of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

3.13 Section 2(2) of BSA: Words and Expressions

Corresponding provision

• No corresponding provision in Evidence Act
• This is a new provision

Words not defined

• Sub-section (2) of section 2 of BSA provides that words and expressions used herein and not defined but defined in the Information Technology Act, 2000, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 shall have the same meanings as assigned to them in the said Act and Sanhita.

4. Section 3 of BSA: Evidence May be Given of Facts in Issue and Relevant Facts

Corresponding provision

• Section 3 of the BSA corresponds to section 5 of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

5. Section 4 of BSA: Relevancy of Facts Forming Part of Same Transaction

Corresponding provision

• Section 4 of the BSA corresponds to section 6 of the Evidence Act

Facts not in issue

• Section 6 of Evidence Act provided that facts which, though not in issue, but which are so connected with a fact in issue as to form part of the same transaction, are relevant.
• In addition, section 4 of the BSA also provides that facts though not in issue are so connected with a relevant fact as to form part of the same transaction, are relevant.

6. Section 5 of BSA: Facts which are Occasion, Cause or Effect of Facts in Issue or Relevant Facts

Corresponding provision

• Section 5 of the BSA corresponds to section 7 of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

7. Section 6 of BSA: Motive, Preparation and Previous or Subsequent Conduct

Corresponding provision

• Section 6 of the BSA corresponds to section 8 of the Evidence Act
• The first para in section 8 of Evidence Act is now sub-section (1) of section 6 in the BSA
• The second para in section 8 of Evidence Act is now sub-section (2) of section 6 in the BSA

Illustrations

• In Statutory Illustration (d) to section 8 of Evidence Act, reference to “vakils” is replaced with “advocates”
• InStatutory Illustration (e) to section 8 of Evidence Act, typographical error of “proved” corrected by making it “provided”
• In Statutory Illustration (f) to section 8 of Evidence Act, word “man” is replaced with “person” to make it gender neutral
• In Statutory Illustration (j), word “ravished” has been replaced with the word “raped”

8. Section 7 of BSA: Facts Necessary to Explain or Introduce Fact in Issue or Relevant Facts

Corresponding provision

• Section 7 of the BSA corresponds to section 9 of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

9. Section 8 of BSA: Things Said or Done by Conspirator in Reference to Common Design

Corresponding provision

• Section 8 of the BSA corresponds to section 10 of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

10. Section 9 of BSA: When Facts not Otherwise Relevant Become Relevant

Corresponding provision

• Section 9 of the BSA corresponds to section 11 of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

11. Section 10 of BSA: Facts Tending to Enable Court to Determine Amount are Relevant in Suits for Damages

Corresponding provision

• Section 10 of the BSA corresponds to section 12 of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

12. Section 11 of BSA: Facts Relevant when Right or Custom is in Question

Corresponding provision

• Section 11 of the BSA corresponds to section 13 of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

13. Section 12 of BSA: Facts Showing Existence of State of Mind, or of Body or Bodily Feeling

Corresponding provision

• Section 12 of the BSA corresponds to section 14 of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

14. Section 13 of BSA: Facts Bearing on Question Whether Act was Accidental or Intentional

Corresponding provision

• Section 13 of the BSA corresponds to section 15 of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

15. Section 14 of BSA: Existence of Course of Business When Relevant

Corresponding provision

• Section 14 of the BSA corresponds to section 16 of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

16. Section 15 of BSA: Admission Defined

Corresponding provision

• Section 15 of the BSA corresponds to section 17 of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

17. Section 16 of BSA: Admission by Party to Proceeding or His Agent

Corresponding provision

• Section 16 of the BSA corresponds to section 18 of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

18. Section 17 of BSA: Admissions by Persons Whose Position Must be Proved as Against Party to Suit

Corresponding provision

• Section 17 of the BSA corresponds to section 19 of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

19. Section 18 of BSA: Admissions by Persons Expressly Referred to By Party to Suit

Corresponding provision

• Section 18 of the BSA corresponds to section 20 of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

20. Section 19 of BSA: Proof of Admissions Against Persons Making Them, and by or on their Behalf

Corresponding provision

• Section 19 of the BSA corresponds to section 21 of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

21. Section 20 of BSA: When Oral Admissions as to Contents of Documents are Relevant

Corresponding provision

• Section 20 of the BSA corresponds to section 22 of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

22. Section 21 of BSA: Admissions in Civil Cases when Relevant

Corresponding provision

• Section 21 of the BSA corresponds to section 23 of the Evidence Act

Advocate

• “Advocate” is replaced for “barrister, pleader, attorney or vakil”

23. Section 22 of BSA: Confession Caused by Inducement, Threat, Coercion or Promise, When Irrelevant in Criminal Proceeding

Corresponding provision

• Section 22 of the BSA corresponds to sections 24, 28 and 29 of the Evidence Act
• Section 22(1) of BSA corresponds to section 24 of IPC
• Section 22(1), first proviso of BSA corresponds to section 28 of IPC
• Section 22(2), second proviso of BSA corresponds to section 29 of IPC

Coercion

• Words “coercion” are inserted in section 22 of BSA, which was not there in section 24 of Evidence Act

24. Section 23 of BSA: Confession to Police Officer

Corresponding provision

• Section 23(1) of the BSA corresponds to section 25 of the Evidence Act
• Section 23(2) of the BSA corresponds to sections 26 and 27 of the Evidence Act

Magistrate

• Explanation to section 26 of the Evidence Act providing that “Magistrate” does not include head of a village, etc., is omitted

25. Section 24 of BSA: Consideration of Proved Confession Affecting Person Making it and Others Jointly Under Trial For Same Offence

Corresponding provision

• Section 24 of the BSA corresponds to section 30 of the Evidence Act

Joint Trial

• Explanation to section 30 of Evidence Act incorporated in section 24 of BSA is renumbered as Explanation I
• New Explanation II is added in section 24 of BSA so as to clarify that

“A trial of more persons than one held in the absence of the accused who has absconded or who fails to comply with a proclamation issued under section 84 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 shall be deemed to be a joint trial for the purpose of this section.”

26. Section 25 of BSA: Admissions Not Conclusive Proof, But May Estop

Corresponding provision

• Section 25 of the BSA corresponds to section 31 of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

27. Section 26 Of BSA: Cases in Which Statement of Relevant Fact by Person Who is Dead or Cannot be Found, Etc., is Relevant

Corresponding provision

• Section 26 of the BSA corresponds to section 32 of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

28. Section 27 of BSA: Relevancy of Certain Evidence for Proving, In Subsequent Proceeding, Truth of Facts Therein Stated

Corresponding provision

• Section 27 of the BSA corresponds to section 33 of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

29. Section 28 of BSA: Entries in Books of Account When Relevant

Corresponding provision

• Section 28 of the BSA corresponds to section 34 of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

30. Section 29 of BSA: Relevancy of Entry in Public Record or an Electronic Record Made in Performance of Duty

Corresponding provision

• Section 29 of the BSA corresponds to section 35 of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

31. Section 30 of BSA: Relevancy of Statements in Maps, Charts and Plans

Corresponding provision

• Section 30 of the BSA corresponds to section 36 of the Evidence Act
• There are no changes

32. Section 31 of BSA: Relevancy of Statement as to Fact of Public Nature Contained in Certain Acts or Notifications

Corresponding provision

• Section 31 of the BSA corresponds to section 37 of the Evidence Act

Official Gazette in electronic or digital form

• Electronic or digital form of Official Gazette is made admissible evidence by section 31 of BSA