The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023 () is an act of the Parliament of India.
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 On 12-December-2023, the Bharatiya Sakshya bill, 2023 was withdrawn.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. 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.
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. +The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023PartChaptersSection Classification of OffencesPart 1Chapter 1Section 1 to 2Preliminary Part 2Chapter 2Section 3 to 50 Relevancy Of Facts (3) Closely Connected Facts (4 to 14) Admissions (15 to 25) Statements By Persons Who Cannot Be Called As Witnesses (26 to 27) Statements Made Under Special Circumstances (28 to 32) How Much Of A Statement Is To Be Proved (33) Judgments Of Courts When Relevant (34 to 38) Opinions Of Third Persons When Relevant (39 to 45) Character When Relevant (46 to 50)Part 3 On ProofChapter 3Section 51 to 53Facts Which Need Not Be Proved Chapter 4Clauses 54 to 55Of Oral Evidence Chapter 5Section 56 to 93Of Documentary Evidence (56 to 73) Public documents (74 to 77) Presumptions As To Documents(78 to 93)Chapter 6Section 94 to 103Of The Exclusion Of Oral Evidence By Documentary Evidence Part 4 Production And Effect Of EvidenceChapter 7Section 104 to 120Of The Burden Of Proof Chapter 8Section 121 to 123EstoppelChapter 9Section 124 to 139Of Witnesses Chapter 10Section 140 to 168Of Examination Of Witnesses Chapter 11Section 169Of Improper Admission And Rejection Of Evidence Chapter 12Section 170Repeal And Savings
Criticism The new law makes it difficult for defendants to defend themselves at court and encourages prosecutors to produce potentially dubious evidence.
See also Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita
References
External links Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam from Ministry of Home Affairs