BSA §144
A person summoned to produce a document does not become a witness by the...
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138. Order of examinations. –– Witnesses shall be first examined-in-chief, then (if the adverse party so desires) cross-examined, then (if the party calling him so desires) re-examined. The examination and cross-examination must relate to relevant facts, but the cross-examination need not be confined to the facts to which the witness testified on his examination-in-chief. Direction of re-examination. –– The re-examination shall be directed to the explanation of matters referred to in cross-examination; and, if new matter is, by permission of the Court, introduced in re-examination, the adverse party may further cross-examine upon that matter.
144. A person summoned to produce a document does not become a witness by the mere fact that he produces it, and cannot be cross-examined unless and until he is called as a witness.
What changedAI-inferred
Order of examinations.
Old position
IEA 138 is concerned with Order of examinations. Direction of re-examination. Order of examinations
New position
BSA 144 preserves the framework with drafting modernisations as required by the new code. Topic: A person summoned to produce a document does not become a witness by the.... A person summoned to produce a document does not become a witness by the mere fact that he produces it, and cannot be cross-examined unless and until he is called as a witness
BSA 144 (A person summoned to produce a document does not become a witness by the...) preserves the framework of IEA 138. BSA 144 retains the operative provisions in substantively the same form, with drafting modernisation and structural updates as required by the new code. BSA 144 text: A...
Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)
BSA 144 (A person summoned to produce a document does not become a witness by the...) preserves the framework of IEA 138. BSA 144 retains the operative provisions in substantively the same form, with drafting modernisation and structural updates as required by the new code.
BSA 144 text: A person summoned to produce a document does not become a witness by the mere fact that he produces it, and cannot be cross-examined unless and until he is called as a witness.
Transitional note (repeal & savings)
For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IEA 138 continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BSA 144 applies. The transition is governed by the repeal-and-savings clause in the new code (BNS 358 / BNSS 531 / BSA 170 as the case may be); pending proceedings under the old code carry forward unaffected.
Frequently asked
BSA 144 (A person summoned to produce a document does not become a witness by the...). The relationship is classified as substantively_same — see the change-note above for the textual delta.
Government source
The statutory text above is compiled from the Act as published by the Government of India. The links open the full Act; use the PDF's search to find the section number. The linked government pages offer no link to a single section.
Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 · §144
View government sourcemha.gov.in(opens the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 PDF on mha.gov.in in a new tab)Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India · PDF
Indian Evidence Act, 1872 · §138
View government sourcelddashboard.legislative.gov.in(opens the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 Web page on lddashboard.legislative.gov.in in a new tab)Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India · Web page
Newlaws.in is an independent site, not a government body. The mappings and notes on this page are its own AI-assisted comparison and are not published or endorsed by any government body.
Sources
- India Code — Indian Evidence Act, 1872
- Gazette of India — Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023
Cite this page
Newlaws.in, IEA §138 → BSA §144 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-10-29, https://newlaws.in/bsa/144.
Compiled using AI-assisted tools · Source-linked · Last updated 2026-05-01
Not legal advice. Verify against the bare act and consult a qualified advocate for any specific matter.