Section 15 BSA: Admission defined

Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023

Section 15 BSA at a Glance

Section 15 BSA defines admission. It replaced Section 17 IEA on 1 July 2024.

Was IEA

Section 17 →

Section 15 BSA Bare Act Text

15. Admission defined

An admission is a statement, oral or documentary or contained in electronic form, which suggests any inference as to any fact in issue or relevant fact, and which is made by any of the persons, and under the circumstances, hereinafter mentioned.

Source: Section 15, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023

Section 15 BSA in Simple Words

Section 15 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 defines what counts as an admission in a case. Under the Adhiniyam, an admission is a statement that suggests an inference (a conclusion drawn from facts). That conclusion must relate to a fact in issue (a main disputed fact) or a relevant fact.

The statement can be spoken, written in a document, or kept in electronic form. However, suggesting a conclusion about a fact is not enough on its own. The statement also has to be made by the persons and in the circumstances listed later in the Adhiniyam.

When Section 15 BSA Applies

  • A statement is made orally, in a document, or in electronic form.
  • The statement points toward a conclusion about a disputed fact or a relevant fact.
  • The statement is made by a person, and in the circumstances, specified in the provisions that follow in the Adhiniyam.

Example of Section 15 BSA

In August 2024, Priya and Farhan have a court dispute in Jaipur over whether a shop lease was signed. Before the dispute, Priya sent an electronic message that suggested a conclusion about that disputed lease. Under Section 15 BSA, that electronic message can qualify as an admission because it suggests an inference about a fact in issue. The message counts as an admission only if the sender and circumstances meet the rules that follow in the Adhiniyam.

Section 15 BSA in the IEA (Previous Law)

Section 15 BSA replaces Section 17 IEA from the old criminal code.

Section 17 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 became Section 15 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 on 1 July 2024 without any change in wording.

FAQs on Section 15 BSA

What is Section 15 BSA?▼

Section 15 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 defines an admission. It states that an admission is an oral, documentary, or electronic statement suggesting a conclusion about a fact in issue or relevant fact, when made by the persons and in the circumstances listed later in the Adhiniyam.

Can an electronic record or message be an admission under Section 15 BSA?▼

Yes. Section 15 BSA covers statements contained in electronic form, along with oral and documentary statements, provided the other requirements for an admission are satisfied.

Is every statement that points to a disputed fact an admission under Section 15 BSA?▼

No. Pointing to an inference about a fact in issue or relevant fact is not enough by itself. The statement must also be made by a person and under the circumstances set out later in the Adhiniyam.

What is Section 15 BSA in IEA?▼

Section 17 IEA. Section 17 IEA became Section 15 BSA on 1 July 2024 without any change in wording.

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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Bare Act Text, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 ·