IEA 157→BSA 160

IEA 157 to BSA 160: Former statements of witness may be proved to corroborate later testimony as to same fact

Section 157 IEA (1872) replaced by Section 160 BSA (2023)

View IEA Section 157 →View BSA Section 160 →

IEA 157 to BSA 160 at a Glance

Section 157 IEA (Former statements of witness may be proved to corroborate later testimony as to same fact) is now Section 160 BSA, in force from 1 July 2024. Only the section number changed.

What Changed From IEA 157 to BSA 160?

Section 157 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 became Section 160 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 on 1 July 2024 without any change in wording.

IEA 157 vs BSA 160: Comparison Table

AspectIEA 1872 (repealed)BSA 2023 (in force)
Section157160
HeadingFormer statements of witness may be proved to corroborate later testimony as to same factSame

IEA 157 and BSA 160: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IEA 1872 (repealed)

Section 157, IEA 1872

157. Former statements of witness may be proved to corroborate later testimony as to same fact.—In order to corroborate the testimony of a witness, any former statement made by such witness relating to the same fact, at or about the time when the fact took place, or before any authority legally competent to investigate the fact, may be proved.
BSA 2023 (in force)

Section 160, BSA 2023

160. Former statements of witness may be proved to corroborate later testimony as to same fact.—In order to corroborate the testimony of a witness, any former statement made by such witness relating to the same fact, at or about the time when the fact took place, or before any authority legally competent to investigate the fact, may be proved.

When It Applies: IEA 157 vs BSA 160

Under IEA 157
  1. A witness gives testimony in court about a fact, and a party seeks to corroborate that testimony.
  2. The same witness previously made a statement about that same fact.
  3. The former statement was made when the fact happened or right around that time.
  4. Alternatively, the witness made the former statement before an authority that has legal power to investigate that fact.
Under BSA 160
  1. A witness gives testimony in court about a fact, and a party seeks to corroborate that testimony.
  2. The same witness previously made a statement about that same fact.
  3. The former statement was made when the fact happened or right around that time.
  4. Alternatively, the witness made the former statement before an authority that has legal power to investigate that fact.

What IEA 157 to BSA 160 Means in Practice

Section 157 IEA became Section 160 BSA on 1 July 2024 without any change in wording. The same rule on proving a former statement of a witness to corroborate later testimony applies under the Adhiniyam. Parties and witnesses should cite Section 160 BSA in matters governed by the BSA.

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 ·