What is Section 130 BSA?

Section 130 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 deals with official communications. It provides that a public officer cannot be forced to disclose communications made to that officer in official confidence when the officer considers that disclosure would harm public interests.

Can a public officer be forced to reveal every communication under Section 130 BSA?

No. A public officer cannot be compelled to reveal a communication if it was made to that officer in official confidence and the officer considers that public interests would suffer from the disclosure.

Who assesses whether public interests would suffer under Section 130 BSA?

The public officer to whom the communication was made in official confidence assesses whether public interests would suffer. When that public officer considers that disclosure would harm public interests, the officer cannot be compelled to disclose it.

What is Section 130 BSA in IEA?

Section 124 IEA was the corresponding provision before 1 July 2024. Section 130 BSA keeps the exact wording of Section 124 IEA.

IEA 124 Is Now BSA 130: Official Communications

Aspect	IEA 1872 (repealed)	BSA 2023 (in force)
Section	124	130
Heading	Official communications	Same

Aspect

IEA 1872 (repealed)

BSA 2023 (in force)

Section

124

130

Heading

Official communications

Same

IEA 124 and BSA 130: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IEA 1872 (repealed)

Section 124, IEA 1872

124. Official communications.—No public officer shall be compelled to disclose communications made to him in official confidence, when he considers that the public interests would suffer by the disclosure.

BSA 2023 (in force)

Section 130, BSA 2023

130. Official communications.—No public officer shall be compelled to disclose communications made to him in official confidence, when he considers that the public interests would suffer by the disclosure.

When It Applies: IEA 124 vs BSA 130

Under IEA 124

The person who cannot be forced to disclose is a public officer.
The communication was received by the public officer in official confidence.
The public officer considers that disclosing the communication would harm public interests.

Under BSA 130

The person who cannot be forced to disclose is a public officer.
The communication was received by the public officer in official confidence.
The public officer considers that disclosing the communication would harm public interests.

What IEA 124 to BSA 130 Means in Practice

Section 124 IEA became Section 130 BSA on 1 July 2024 without any change in wording. The same rule on official communications made to a public officer in official confidence applies, and a reader should cite Section 130 BSA for matters governed by the BSA.

IEA 124 to BSA 130: Official communications

IEA 124 to BSA 130 at a Glance

What Changed From IEA 124 to BSA 130?

IEA 124 vs BSA 130: Comparison Table

IEA 124 and BSA 130: Bare Act Text Side by Side

When It Applies: IEA 124 vs BSA 130

What IEA 124 to BSA 130 Means in Practice