Section 56 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, (BSA), 2023
Section 56 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 addresses the admissibility of documents in legal proceedings.
๐ Section 56: Proof of Contents of Documents
Section 56 states:
"The contents of documents may be proved either by primary or by secondary evidence."
This provision establishes the foundational principle that the contents of a document can be presented in court through two primary means:
Primary Evidence: This refers to the original document itself.
Secondary Evidence: This includes copies or reproductions of the original document, such as photocopies or electronic versions, provided certain conditions are met.
๐งพ Related Provisions
Section 56 is part of Chapter V of the Act, titled "Of Documentary Evidence." The subsequent sections further elaborate on the types of evidence and the conditions under which secondary evidence may be admissible:(
Section 57: Defines "Primary Evidence" as the document itself produced for the inspection of the Court.
Section 58: Defines "Secondary Evidence" as copies made from the original document.
Section 59: States that documents shall be proved by primary evidence except in cases where secondary evidence is admissible.
Section 60: Outlines the cases in which secondary evidence relating to documents may be given.
โ๏ธ Significance
Section 56 is crucial in legal proceedings as it provides the framework for presenting documentary evidence. By recognizing both primary and secondary evidence, it ensures that courts can consider relevant documents even when the original is unavailable, thereby facilitating the fair administration of justice.

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