The Bharatiya Sakshya Act, 2023 pdf download free Bare Act
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Highlights of the Bill
The Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 (BSB) replaces the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (IEA). It retains most provisions of the IEA including those on confessions, relevancy of facts, and burden of proof.
The IEA provides for two kinds of evidence - documentary and oral. Documentary evidence includes primary (original documents) and secondary (that proves the contents of the original). The BSB retains the distinction. It includes electronic records in the definition of documents.
Under the IEA, electronic records are categorised as secondary evidence. The BSB classifies electronic records as primary evidence. It expands such records to include information stored in semiconductor memory or any communication devices (smartphones, laptops).
Under the IEA, secondary evidence may be required under various conditions, such as when the original is in the possession of the person against whom the document is sought to be proved or has been destroyed. The BSB adds that secondary evidence may be required if the genuineness of the document itself is in question.
Key Issues and Analysis
The Supreme Court has recognised that electronic records may be tampered with. While the BSB provides for the admissibility of such records, there are no safeguards to prevent the tampering and contamination of such records during the investigation process.
Currently, electronic records must be authenticated by a certificate to be admissible as documents. The BSB retains these provisions for admissibility. The BSB also classifies electronic evidence as documents (which may not need certification). This creates a contradiction.
Under the IEA, a fact discovered due to information received from an accused in police custody may be provable. The BSB retains this provision. Courts and Committees noted that facts may be discovered in police custody by coercion, and without adequate safeguards.
The IEA (and the BSB) allows such information to be admissible if it was obtained when the accused was in police custody, but not if he was outside. The Law Commission recommended to remove this distinction.
The Law Commission has made several recommendations, which have not been incorporated. These include the presumption that the police officer caused the injuries if an accused was injured in police custody.
Context
The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (IEA) governs the admissibility of evidence in Indian Courts. It applies to all civil and criminal proceedings. Over the years, the IEA has been amended to align with certain criminal reforms and technological advancements. In 2000, the IEA was amended to provide for the admissibility of electronic records as secondary evidence.[1] In 2013, it was amended to add provisions related to consent in cases of rape. It shifted the onus on the accused to prove that consent was given, and added that the character of the victim and her sexual history will not be relevant when determining consent.1
The Law Commission has examined the IEA on multiple occasions and suggested amendments on matters such as custodial violence, admissibility of police confessions, and cross-examination. For more details on key recommendations made by the Law Commission, see Table 1.[2],[3] The Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 was introduced in Lok Sabha on August 11, 2023. It seeks to replace the IEA. The Standing Committee on Home Affairs has examined the Bill. [4]
Key Features
The Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 (BSB) retains most of the provisions of the IEA. These include:
Admissible evidence: Parties involved in a legal proceeding can only present admissible evidence. Admissible evidence can be classified as either ‘facts in issue’ or ‘relevant facts’. Facts in issue refer to any fact that determines the existence, nature, or extent of any right, liability, or disability claimed or denied in a legal proceeding. Relevant facts are facts that are pertinent to a given case. The IEA provides for two kinds of evidence – documentary and oral evidence.
A proved fact: A fact is considered proven when, based on the evidence presented, the Court believes it to either: (i) exist, or (ii) its existence so likely that a prudent man should act as if it exists in circumstances of the case.
Police confessions: Any confession made to a police officer is inadmissible. Confessions made in police custody are also inadmissible, unless recorded by a Magistrate. However, if a fact is discovered as a result of information received from an accused in custody, that information may be admitted if it distinctly relates to the fact discovered.
Key changes proposed in the BSB include:
Documentary evidence: Under the IEA, a document includes writing, maps, and caricature. The BSB adds that electronic records will also be considered as documents. Documentary evidence includes primary and secondary evidence. Primary evidence includes the original document and its parts, such as electronic records and video recordings. Secondary evidence contains documents and oral accounts that can prove the contents of the original. The BSB retains this classification.
Oral evidence: Under the IEA, oral evidence includes statements made before Courts by witnesses in relation to a fact under inquiry. The BSB allows oral evidence to be given electronically. This would permit witnesses, accused persons, and victims to testify through electronic means.
Admissibility of electronic or digital records as evidence: Documentary evidence includes information in electronic records that have been printed or stored in optical or magnetic media produced by a computer. Such information may have been stored or processed by a combination of computers or different computers. The BSB provides that electronic or digital records will have the same legal effect as paper records. It expands electronic records to include information stored in semiconductor memory or any communication devices (smartphones, laptops). This will also include records on emails, server logs, smartphones, locational evidence and voice mails.
Secondary evidence: The BSB expands secondary evidence to include: (i) oral and written admissions, and (ii) the testimony of a person who has examined the document and is skilled in the examination of documents. Under the Act, secondary evidence may be required under various conditions, such as when the original is in the possession of the person against whom the document is sought to be proved or has been destroyed. The BSB adds that secondary evidence may be required if the genuineness of the document itself is in question.
Joint trials: A joint trial refers to the trial of more than one person for the same offence. The IEA states that in a joint trial, if a confession made by one of the accused which also affects other accused is proven, it will be treated as a confession against both. The BSB adds an explanation to this provision. It states that a trial of multiple persons, where an accused has absconded or has not responded to an arrest warrant, will be treated as a joint trial.
PART B: KEY ISSUES AND ANALYSIS
The admissibility of electronic records as evidence
Under the IEA, documentary evidence can be classified as primary or secondary evidence. Primary evidence refers to the original document, while secondary evidence includes documents that can prove the contents of the original. Secondary evidence may be required under various conditions, such as when the original has been destroyed, or is with the person against whom the document must be proved. Documents include writing, maps, and caricatures. The BSB retains these provisions and adds electronic records to the definition of documents.
The IEA allows electronic records to be admitted as secondary evidence and specifies the procedure to admit such evidence. The BSB amends this to clarify that electronic records produced from proper custody will be considered primary evidence, unless disputed. If electronic records are stored in multiple files, each file will be considered as primary evidence. It also expands the definition of electronic records to include information stored in semiconductor memory or smartphones (including emails, location and voice mails).
Admitting electronic records as primary evidence raises two issues. We discuss them below.
Tampering of electronic records
In 2014, the Supreme Court recognised that electronic records are susceptible to tampering and alteration. [5] It stated that without adequate safeguards, if the whole trial is based on proof of electronic records, it may lead to a travesty of justice.5 The BSB provides for the admissibility of electronic records and gives the Court discretion to consult an Examiner of Electronic Evidence to form an opinion on such evidence. However, no safeguards have been provided to ensure that electronic records are not tampered with during the search and seizure or investigation process. The Standing Committee on Home Affairs (2023) noted the importance of safeguarding the authenticity and integrity of electronic and digital records as they are prone to tampering.4 It recommended mandating that all electronic and digital records collected as evidence during investigation be securely handled and processed through proper chain of custody.
The Bharatiya Sakshya Act, 2023 (IAST: Bhāratīya Sākśya Adhiniyam; lit. 'Indian Testimony Act') is an Act of the Parliament of India.[1][2][3]
Background and timeline
- On 11 August 2023, Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs, introduced the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 in Lok Sabha.
- On 12 December 2023, the Bharatiya Sakshya bill, 2023 was withdrawn.
- On 12 December 2023, the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) bill, 2023 was introduced in Lok Sabha.
- On 20 December 2023, the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) bill, 2023 was passed in Lok Sabha.[4]
- On 21 December 2023, the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) bill, 2023 was introduced in Rajya Sabha.
- On 21 December 2023, the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) bill, 2023 was passed in Rajya Sabha.
- On 25 December 2023, the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) bill, 2023 received the assent of the President of India.[5][6]
Structure
The Act consists of 170 sections as opposed to the 167 sections in the previous Indian Evidence Act. Of these 167 sections, 23 sections have been modified, five removed, and one more section added.[7][8][9][10]
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