The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 has been replaced by which law?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 3: Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023.
Explanation:
- The Government of India has recently introduced historic changes to the criminal laws dating back to the colonial era. In this context, the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, has been replaced by the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023.
- Date of Implementation: These new laws came into effect across the entire country on July 1, 2024.
- Key Changes: The new Act grants admissibility to digital and electronic evidence as primary evidence. The definition of evidence has been expanded to better accommodate modern technology and forensic investigations within the legal process.
- Sections: The old Act comprised 167 sections, whereas the new Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) contains 170 sections.
Introduction to the Three New Criminal Laws (Quick Revision):
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023: This has replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860.
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023: This has replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973.
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023: This has replaced the Indian Evidence Act (IEA), 1872.
Important Questions for Upcoming Examinations:
Question: On what date did India's new criminal laws come into force?
Answer: July 1, 2024.
Question: Which new law has replaced the IPC, 1860?
Answer: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Question: What is the legal status of electronic evidence (Electronic Records) under the new Evidence Act?
Answer: They have now been included within the definition of 'Documents' and are recognized as primary evidence.