Legal Tools
IEA to BSA Converter
Search and convert Indian Evidence Act (1872) sections to their corresponding Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (2023) sections.
The BSA replaced the IEA effective July 1, 2024. Cases filed before this date continue under IEA; new cases use BSA sections.
IEA (1872)
Section 3
Interpretation clause
BSA (2023)
Section 2
Definitions
Updated terminology. "Document" now explicitly includes electronic and digital records.
IEA (1872)
Section 5
Evidence may be given of facts in issue and relevant facts
BSA (2023)
Section 4
Evidence may be given of facts in issue and relevant facts
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 6
Relevancy of facts forming part of same transaction (Res Gestae)
BSA (2023)
Section 5
Relevancy of facts forming part of same transaction
Substantially similar. Res gestae principle retained.
IEA (1872)
Section 7
Facts which are occasion, cause, or effect of relevant facts
BSA (2023)
Section 6
Facts which are occasion, cause, or effect of relevant facts
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 8
Motive, preparation and previous or subsequent conduct
BSA (2023)
Section 7
Motive, preparation and previous or subsequent conduct
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 9
Facts necessary to explain or introduce relevant facts
BSA (2023)
Section 8
Facts necessary to explain or introduce relevant facts
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 11
When facts not otherwise relevant become relevant
BSA (2023)
Section 10
When facts not otherwise relevant become relevant
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 14
Facts showing existence of state of mind
BSA (2023)
Section 13
Facts showing existence of state of mind
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 15
Facts bearing on question whether act was accidental or intentional
BSA (2023)
Section 14
Facts bearing on question whether act was accidental or intentional
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 17
Admission defined
BSA (2023)
Section 16
Admission defined
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 18
Admission by party to proceeding
BSA (2023)
Section 17
Admission by party to proceeding
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 21
Proof of admissions against persons making them
BSA (2023)
Section 20
Proof of admissions against persons making them
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 24
Confession caused by inducement, threat or promise
BSA (2023)
Section 22
Confession caused by inducement, threat or promise
Substantially similar. Confession to be irrelevant if caused by inducement, threat, or promise.
IEA (1872)
Section 25
Confession to police officer not to be proved
BSA (2023)
Section 23
Confession to police officer not to be proved
Substantially similar. Confessions to police officers remain inadmissible.
IEA (1872)
Section 26
Confession by accused while in custody of police
BSA (2023)
Section 24
Confession by accused while in custody of police
Substantially similar. Exception for confessions made in presence of Magistrate retained.
IEA (1872)
Section 27
How much of information received from accused may be proved (discovery)
BSA (2023)
Section 25
How much of information received from accused may be proved
Substantially similar. Discovery statements continue to be admissible to the extent of fact discovered.
IEA (1872)
Section 30
Consideration of proved confession affecting person making it and co-accused
BSA (2023)
Section 28
Confession affecting person making it and co-accused
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 32
Cases in which statement of relevant fact by person who is dead or cannot be found is relevant (dying declaration)
BSA (2023)
Section 26
Cases in which statement of relevant fact is relevant
Substantially similar. Dying declarations remain admissible. Electronic statements now explicitly covered.
IEA (1872)
Section 33
Relevancy of certain evidence for proving in subsequent proceeding
BSA (2023)
Section 27
Relevancy of certain evidence in subsequent proceeding
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 34
Entries in books of account when relevant
BSA (2023)
Section 29
Entries in books of account and electronic records when relevant
Electronic records explicitly included alongside physical books of account.
IEA (1872)
Section 35
Relevancy of entry in public record
BSA (2023)
Section 30
Relevancy of entry in public record or electronic record
Electronic public records now explicitly covered.
IEA (1872)
Section 45
Opinions of experts
BSA (2023)
Section 39
Opinions of experts
Expanded to include electronic and digital evidence experts. Expert opinion on electronic form of evidence explicitly recognized.
IEA (1872)
Section 46
Facts bearing upon opinions of experts
BSA (2023)
Section 40
Facts bearing upon opinions of experts
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 47
Opinion as to handwriting
BSA (2023)
Section 41
Opinion as to handwriting, digital signature
Digital signatures and electronic authentication expressly included.
IEA (1872)
Section 52
In civil cases character to prove conduct imputed is irrelevant
BSA (2023)
Section 46
In civil cases character is irrelevant
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 53
In criminal cases previous good character relevant
BSA (2023)
Section 47
In criminal cases previous good character relevant
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 54
Previous bad character not relevant except in reply
BSA (2023)
Section 48
Previous bad character not relevant
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 53A
Evidence of character or previous sexual experience in certain cases
BSA (2023)
Section 49
Evidence of character or previous sexual experience not relevant
Strengthened protection for victims. Character of prosecutrix not relevant in sexual offence trials.
IEA (1872)
Section 59
Proof of facts by oral evidence
BSA (2023)
Section 53
Proof of facts by oral evidence
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 61
Proof of contents of documents
BSA (2023)
Section 55
Proof of contents of documents
Substantially similar. Applies to electronic records.
IEA (1872)
Section 62
Primary evidence
BSA (2023)
Section 57
Primary evidence
Primary evidence now includes electronic and digital records in their original form.
IEA (1872)
Section 63
Secondary evidence
BSA (2023)
Section 58
Secondary evidence
Expanded: oral and written admissions, certified copies, and copies from electronic records all accepted as secondary evidence.
IEA (1872)
Section 65
Cases in which secondary evidence may be given
BSA (2023)
Section 59
Cases in which secondary evidence relating to documents may be given
Substantially similar with electronic records provisions.
IEA (1872)
Section 65A
Special provisions as to evidence relating to electronic record
BSA (2023)
Section 61
Admissibility of electronic records
Major simplification. Electronic records now on par with paper documents.
IEA (1872)
Section 65B
Admissibility of electronic records
BSA (2023)
Section 63
Admissibility of electronic records
MAJOR CHANGE: Certificate requirement under 65B(4) simplified. Electronic evidence including emails, server logs, digital photos, CCTV footage directly admissible with certificate of authenticity.
IEA (1872)
Section 67
Proof of signature and handwriting of person alleged to have signed
BSA (2023)
Section 65
Proof of signature and handwriting
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 67A
Proof as to electronic signature
BSA (2023)
Section 66
Proof as to electronic signature
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 73
Comparison of signature, writing or seal with admitted or proved ones
BSA (2023)
Section 71
Comparison of signature, writing or seal
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 79
Presumption as to genuineness of certified copies
BSA (2023)
Section 77
Presumption as to genuineness of certified copies
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 81
Presumption as to Gazettes, newspapers, etc.
BSA (2023)
Section 79
Presumption as to Gazettes, newspapers, etc.
Extended to electronic Gazettes and official digital publications.
IEA (1872)
Section 81A
Presumption as to electronic agreements
BSA (2023)
Section 80
Presumption as to electronic agreements
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 85A
Presumption as to electronic records
BSA (2023)
Section 83
Presumption as to electronic records
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 85B
Presumption as to electronic agreements
BSA (2023)
Section 84
Presumption as to electronic agreements
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 90
Presumption as to documents thirty years old
BSA (2023)
Section 88
Presumption as to documents thirty years old
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 114
Court may presume existence of certain facts
BSA (2023)
Section 112
Court may presume existence of certain facts
Updated with electronic records presumptions. Presumption that electronic messages were sent and received.
IEA (1872)
Section 101
Burden of proof
BSA (2023)
Section 99
Burden of proof
Substantially similar. Party asserting a fact bears the burden.
IEA (1872)
Section 102
On whom burden of proof lies
BSA (2023)
Section 100
On whom burden of proof lies
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 103
Burden of proof as to particular fact
BSA (2023)
Section 101
Burden of proof as to particular fact
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 104
Burden of proving fact to be proved to make evidence admissible
BSA (2023)
Section 102
Burden of proving fact to make evidence admissible
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 105
Burden of proving that case of accused comes within exceptions
BSA (2023)
Section 103
Burden of proving exceptions
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 106
Burden of proving fact especially within knowledge
BSA (2023)
Section 104
Burden of proving fact especially within knowledge of person
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 115
Estoppel
BSA (2023)
Section 113
Estoppel
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 116
Estoppel of tenant
BSA (2023)
Section 114
Estoppel of tenant
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 117
Estoppel of acceptor of bill of exchange
BSA (2023)
Section 115
Estoppel of acceptor of bill of exchange
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 118
Who may testify
BSA (2023)
Section 116
Who may testify
Substantially similar. Any person competent to understand questions may testify.
IEA (1872)
Section 119
Dumb witnesses
BSA (2023)
Section 117
Person unable to communicate verbally
Updated language. Evidence may be given by writing or signs or through electronic means.
IEA (1872)
Section 120
Parties to civil suit and their wives or husbands
BSA (2023)
Section 118
Parties to civil suit and their spouses
Gender-neutral language.
IEA (1872)
Section 133
Accomplice
BSA (2023)
Section 130
Accomplice
Substantially similar. Accomplice is a competent witness.
IEA (1872)
Section 134
Number of witnesses
BSA (2023)
Section 131
Number of witnesses
Substantially similar. No particular number of witnesses required.
IEA (1872)
Section 135
Order of production and examination of witnesses
BSA (2023)
Section 132
Order of production and examination
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 137
Examination-in-chief, cross-examination, re-examination
BSA (2023)
Section 134
Examination-in-chief, cross-examination, re-examination
Substantially similar. Examination via audio-video electronic means permitted.
IEA (1872)
Section 138
Order of examinations
BSA (2023)
Section 135
Order of examinations
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 145
Cross-examination as to previous statements in writing
BSA (2023)
Section 142
Cross-examination as to previous statements in writing or electronic form
Includes statements in electronic form.
IEA (1872)
Section 122
Communications during marriage
BSA (2023)
Section 119
Communications during marriage
Substantially similar. Marital privilege retained.
IEA (1872)
Section 126
Professional communications (legal privilege)
BSA (2023)
Section 123
Professional communications
Substantially similar. Attorney-client privilege retained. Extended to communications via electronic means.
IEA (1872)
Section 129
Confidential communications with legal advisers
BSA (2023)
Section 126
Confidential communications with legal advisers
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
Section 130
Production of title deeds of witness not a party
BSA (2023)
Section 127
Production of title deeds
Substantially similar.
IEA (1872)
No Equivalent
No equivalent in IEA
BSA (2023) NEW
Section 62
Admissibility of electronic or digital record
NEW: Comprehensive provision for admissibility of electronic evidence including emails, server logs, documents on computers, smartphones, locational evidence, and voice mail messages.
IEA (1872)
No Equivalent
No equivalent in IEA
BSA (2023) NEW
Section 170
Oral evidence by electronic means
NEW: Formal provision allowing testimony through audio-video electronic means. Witness may depose from any location with court permission.
About This Tool
What Changed
The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 replaced the colonial-era Indian Evidence Act 1872, restructuring 167 sections into 170. Key changes include formal recognition of electronic and digital evidence on par with physical evidence, expanded provisions for electronic records and their admissibility, updated definitions of documents to include electronic communications, and simplified procedures for proving digital evidence.
How to Use
Search by IEA section number (e.g., “65B”), BSA section number (e.g., “63”), or by keyword (e.g., “confession”, “witness”, “electronic”). Results show the mapping between old and new sections along with notes on what changed. This tool covers the most commonly referenced sections.