IEA 137→BSA 142

IEA 137 to BSA 142: Examination-in-chief

Section 137 IEA (1872) replaced by Section 142 BSA (2023)

View IEA Section 137 →View BSA Section 142 →

IEA 137 to BSA 142 at a Glance

Section 137 IEA (Examination-in-chief) is now Section 142 BSA, in force from 1 July 2024. Only the section number changed.

What Changed From IEA 137 to BSA 142?

Section 137 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 became Section 142 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 on 1 July 2024. No substantive change. The three definitions are now sub-sections (1) to (3), and the heading now reads "Examination of witnesses".

IEA 137 vs BSA 142: Comparison Table

AspectIEA 1872 (repealed)BSA 2023 (in force)
Section137142
HeadingExamination-in-chiefExamination of witnesses
Sub-sectionsNone3 sub-sections

IEA 137 and BSA 142: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IEA 1872 (repealed)

Section 137, IEA 1872

137. Examination-in-chief.—The examination of witness by the party who calls him shall be called his examination-in-chief. Cross-examination.—The examination of a witness by the adverse party shall be called his cross-examination. Re-examination.—The examination of a witness, subsequent to the cross-examination by the party who called him, shall be called his re-examination.
BSA 2023 (in force)

Section 142, BSA 2023

142. Examination of witnesses.—(1) The examination of a witness by the party who calls him shall be called his examination-in-chief. (2) The examination of a witness by the adverse party shall be called his cross-examination. (3) The examination of a witness, subsequent to the cross-examination, by the party who called him, shall be called his re-examination.

When It Applies: IEA 137 vs BSA 142

Under IEA 137
  1. When the party calling a witness examines that witness in court, the questioning is called examination-in-chief.
  2. When the adverse party (the opposing side) examines the witness, the questioning is called cross-examination.
  3. When the party that called the witness examines the witness again after cross-examination, the questioning is called re-examination.
Under BSA 142
  1. Under Section 142(1) BSA, when the party calling a witness examines that witness, the questioning is called examination-in-chief.
  2. Under Section 142(2) BSA, when the adverse party (the opposing party) examines the witness, the questioning is called cross-examination.
  3. Under Section 142(3) BSA, when the party that called the witness examines the witness again after cross-examination, the questioning is called re-examination.

What IEA 137 to BSA 142 Means in Practice

Section 137 IEA became Section 142 BSA on 1 July 2024 with no substantive change. The definitions of examination-in-chief, cross-examination, and re-examination are numbered as sub-sections (1) to (3), and the heading reads Examination of witnesses. The same definitions apply in court, and parties should cite Section 142 BSA for matters governed by the Adhiniyam.

FAQs: IEA 137 to BSA 142

How did the structure and heading change between Section 137 IEA and Section 142 BSA?▼

Section 142 BSA numbers the definitions of examination-in-chief, cross-examination, and re-examination as sub-sections (1) to (3) and changes the section heading from Examination-in-chief to Examination of witnesses.

Disclaimer: This comparison is for informational purposes only. The new criminal laws came into effect on 1 July 2024. Consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Indian Evidence Act, 1872 · Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 ·