Section 66 IEA (Rules as to notice to produce) is now Section 64 BSA, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.
What Changed From IEA 66 to BSA 64?
Section 66 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 became Section 64 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 on 1 July 2024. Notice may now go to the party's "advocate or representative", where the IEA said "attorney or pleader". The six cases in the proviso are now lettered (a) to (f).
IEA 66 vs BSA 64: Comparison Table
Aspect
IEA 1872 (repealed)
BSA 2023 (in force)
Section
66
64
Heading
Rules as to notice to produce
Same
Sub-sections
6 sub-sections
None
Cross-references
s.65
s.60
IEA 66 and BSA 64: Bare Act Text Side by Side
IEA 1872 (repealed)
Section 66, IEA 1872
66. Rules as to notice to produce.—Secondary evidence of the contents of the documents referred to in section 65, clause (a), shall not be given unless the party proposing to give such secondary evidence has previously given to the party in whose possession or power the document is, or to his attorney or pleader, such notice to produce it as is prescribed by law; and if no notice is prescribed by law, then such notice as the Court considers reasonable under the circumstances of the case:
Provided that such notice shall not be required in order to render secondary evidence admissible in any of the following cases, or in any other case in which the Court thinks fit to dispense with it:—
(1) when the document to be proved is itself a notice;
(2) when, from the nature of the case, the adverse party must know that he will be required to produce it;
(3) when it appears or is proved that the adverse party has obtained possession of the original by fraud or force;
(4) when the adverse party or his agent has the original in Court;
(5) when the adverse party or his agent has admitted the loss of the document;
(6) when the person in possession of the document is out of reach of, or not subject to, the process of the Court.
BSA 2023 (in force)
Section 64, BSA 2023
64. Rules as to notice to produce.—Secondary evidence of the contents of the documents referred to in clause (a) of section 60, shall not be given unless the party proposing to give such secondary evidence has previously given to the party in whose possession or power the document is, or to his advocate or representative, such notice to produce it as is prescribed by law; and if no notice is prescribed by law, then such notice as the Court considers reasonable under the circumstances of the case:
Provided that such notice shall not be required in order to render secondary evidence admissible in any of the following cases, or in any other case in which the Court thinks fit to dispense with it:—
(a) when the document to be proved is itself a notice;
(b) when, from the nature of the case, the adverse party must know that he will be required to produce it;
(c) when it appears or is proved that the adverse party has obtained possession of the original by fraud or force;
(d) when the adverse party or his agent has the original in Court;
(e) when the adverse party or his agent has admitted the loss of the document;
(f) when the person in possession of the document is out of reach of, or not subject to, the process of the Court.
When It Applies: IEA 66 vs BSA 64
Under IEA 66
A party who proposes to give secondary evidence of the contents of a document under Section 65, clause (a) IEA must first give a notice to produce the original document.
The notice to produce must be given previously to the party who has possession or power over the document, or to the attorney or pleader of that party.
The notice must follow what the law prescribes, or if no notice is prescribed by law, must be a notice that the court finds reasonable in the case.
Under BSA 64
A party who proposes to give secondary evidence of the contents of a document under clause (a) of Section 60 BSA must first give a notice to produce the original document.
The notice to produce must be given previously to the party who has possession or power over the document, or to the advocate or representative of that party.
The notice must follow what the law prescribes, or if no notice is prescribed by law, must be a notice that the court finds reasonable in the case.
What IEA 66 to BSA 64 Means in Practice
The rule on giving prior notice to produce an original document remains the same, and a party should cite Section 64 BSA for matters governed by the Adhiniyam. Under Section 64 BSA, the notice may go to the advocate or representative of the party instead of an attorney or pleader, and the cases in the proviso are lettered (a) to (f) instead of numbered (1) to (6).
FAQs: IEA 66 to BSA 64
What changed in the wording on who may receive a notice to produce on behalf of a party?▼
Section 64 BSA uses the words advocate or representative where Section 66 IEA said attorney or pleader, and letters the proviso cases as (a) to (f).
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.