Evidence Act → BSA section converter
Relevancy, confessions & opinion
Which facts are relevant, when a confession can be used, the dying declaration, and expert opinion.
| Evidence Act § | BSA § | What it covers & what changed |
|---|---|---|
| IEA 3 | BSA 2 | Definitions and interpretation The definitions clause — 'Court', 'evidence', 'proved', 'document' — moved to the front as Section 2, and 'evidence' now expressly includes electronic and digital records. |
| IEA 8 | BSA 6 | Motive, preparation and conduct Motive, preparation and previous or subsequent conduct — the relevancy provision often used to admit how a person behaved after the event. |
| IEA 24 | BSA 22 | Confession caused by inducement, threat or promise A confession is irrelevant if it appears to have been caused by an inducement, threat, coercion or promise from a person in authority. |
| IEA 25 | BSA 23(1) | Confession to a police officer No confession made to a police officer may be proved against an accused person — now Section 23(1). |
| IEA 27 | BSA 23(2) | How much of the information from an accused may be proved (discovery) The narrow exception once known as 'Section 27': so much of the information as leads distinctly to a fact discovered may be proved — now Section 23(2). |
| IEA 32 | BSA 26 | Statement of a person who is dead or cannot be found (dying declaration) The dying-declaration provision — statements by a person who is dead, missing or unable to testify are relevant in the stated circumstances. |
| IEA 45 | BSA 39 | Opinion of experts Expert opinion on foreign law, science, art, handwriting or finger impressions is a relevant fact. |
Electronic & documentary evidence
The most-changed area: electronic records are now primary evidence, and the old 'Section 65B certificate' is now Section 63.
| Evidence Act § | BSA § | What it covers & what changed |
|---|---|---|
| IEA 65A | BSA 61 | Electronic and digital records — legal effect Electronic and digital records are admissible and are given the same legal effect as paper documents; the BSA treats them as primary evidence. |
| IEA 65B | BSA 63 | Admissibility of electronic records — the certificate The certificate for electronic records. It is no longer 'Section 65B' — it is Section 63, and the certificate now generally needs two signatures (the person in charge of the device and an expert). |
Proof & witnesses
Who bears the burden of proof, who is competent to testify, the accomplice rule, and cross-examination.
| Evidence Act § | BSA § | What it covers & what changed |
|---|---|---|
| IEA 101 | BSA 104 | Burden of proof Whoever wants a court to give judgment on a legal right or liability must prove the facts asserted. The burden-of-proof rules now run across Sections 104–114. |
| IEA 118 | BSA 124 | Who may testify (competency) Every person is competent to testify unless the court considers them unable to understand or answer rationally for the stated reasons. |
| IEA 133 | BSA 138 | Accomplice An accomplice is a competent witness, and a conviction is not illegal merely because it rests on the uncorroborated testimony of an accomplice. |
| IEA 145 | BSA 148 | Cross-examination as to previous statements in writing A witness may be cross-examined about earlier statements made in writing, without the writing being shown, subject to the stated procedure — now Section 148. |
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Criminal-law essentials
The pages people usually need next, once they know the section.
Frequently asked questions
What is Section 65B of the Evidence Act in the BSA?
The electronic-records certificate — formerly Section 65B of the Indian Evidence Act — is now Section 63 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023, and the certificate now generally requires two signatures.
What is Section 32 (dying declaration) in the BSA?
Statements by a person who is dead or cannot be found — the dying-declaration provision, formerly Section 32 IEA — is now Section 26 of the BSA 2023.
What is Section 25 (confession to police) in the BSA?
The rule that a confession made to a police officer cannot be proved against an accused — formerly Section 25 IEA — is now Section 23(1) of the BSA 2023.
When did the BSA replace the Indian Evidence Act?
The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 replaced the Indian Evidence Act 1872 with effect from 1 July 2024. Evidence in proceedings begun earlier is largely governed by the old Act.
Common Evidence Act→BSA mappings for general understanding only, each verified against published comparative tables. Some sections were merged or reworded and a few are still debated — confirm the exact provision for your matter with a licensed advocate.