IEA §149 → BSA §155
Question not to be asked without reasonable grounds
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Comparison
149. Question not to be asked without reasonable grounds.–– No such question as is referred to in section 148 ought to be asked, unless the person asking it has reasonable grounds for thinking that the imputation which it conveys is well-founded. Illustrations (a) A barrister is instructed by an attorney or vakil that an important witness is a dakait. This is a reasonable ground for asking the witness whether he is a dakait. (b) A pleader is informed by a person in Court that an important witness is a dakait. The informant, on being questioned by the pleader, gives satisfactory reasons for his statement. This is a reasonable ground for asking the witness whether he is a dakait. (c) A witness, of whom nothing whatever is known is asked at random whether he is a dakait. There are here no reasonable ground for the question. (d) A witness, of whom nothing whatever is known, being questioned as to his mode of life and means of living, gives unsatisfactory answers. This may be a reasonable ground for asking him if he is a dakait.
155. The Court shall forbid any question which appears to it to be intended to insult or annoy, or which, though proper in itself, appears to the Court needlessly offensive in form.
What changedAI-inferred
Question not to be asked without reasonable grounds.
Old position
IEA 149 is concerned with Question not to be asked without reasonable grounds. Question not to be asked without reasonable grounds
New position
BSA 155 preserves the framework with drafting modernisations as required by the new code. Topic: The Court shall forbid any question which appears to it to be.. The Court shall forbid any question which appears to it to be intended to insult or annoy, or which, though proper in itself, appears to the Court needlessly offensive in form
BSA 155 (The Court shall forbid any question which appears to it to be.) preserves the framework of IEA 149. BSA 155 retains the operative provisions in substantively the same form, with drafting modernisation and structural updates as required by the new code. BSA 155 text: The Court shall...
Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)
BSA 155 (The Court shall forbid any question which appears to it to be.) preserves the framework of IEA 149. BSA 155 retains the operative provisions in substantively the same form, with drafting modernisation and structural updates as required by the new code.
BSA 155 text: The Court shall forbid any question which appears to it to be intended to insult or annoy, or which, though proper in itself, appears to the Court needlessly offensive in form.
Transitional note (repeal & savings)
For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IEA 149 continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BSA 155 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 155 (The Court shall forbid any question which appears to it to be.). The relationship is classified as substantively_same — see the change-note above for the textual delta.
Sources
- India Code — Indian Evidence Act, 1872
- Gazette of India — Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023
Cite this page
Newlaws.in, IEA §149 → BSA §155 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-06-14, https://newlaws.in/iea/149.
Compiled using AI-assisted tools · Source-linked · Last updated 2026-05-01
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