IEA §155 → BSA §161
Impeaching credit of witness
Jump to section
Comparison
155. Impeaching credit of witness.––The credit of a witness may be impeached in the following ways by the adverse party, or, with the consent of the Court, by the party who calls him:–– 1. Section 154 numbered as sub-section
(1) thereof by Act 2 of 2006, s. 9 (w.e.f. 16-4-2006). 2. Ins. by s. 9, ibid. (w.e.f. 16-4-2006).
(1) By the evidence of persons who testify that they, from their knowledge of the witness, believe him to be unworthy of credit;
(2) By proof that the witness has been bribed, or has 1[accepted] the offer of a bribe, or has received any other corrupt inducement to give his evidence;
(3) By proof of former statements inconsistent with any part of his evidence which is liable to be contradicted; 2* * * * * Explanation. –– A witness declaring another witness to be unworthy of credit may not, upon his examination-in-chief, give reasons for his belief, but he may be asked his reasons in cross-examination, and the answers which he gives cannot be contradicted, though, if they are false, he may afterwards be charged with giving false evidence. Illustrations (a) A sues B for the price of goods sold and delivered to B. C says that he delivered the goods to B. Evidence is offered to show that, on a previous occasion, he said that he had not delivered goods to B. The evidence is admissible. (b) A is indicted for the murder of B. C says that B, when dying, declared that A had given B the wound of which he died. Evidence is offered to show that, on a previous occasion, C said that the wound was not given by A or in his presence. The evidence is admissible.
161. Whenever any statement, relevant under section 26 or 27, is proved, all matters may be proved either in order to contradict or to corroborate it, or in order to impeach or confirm the credit of the person by whom it was made, which might have been proved if that person had been called as a witness and had denied upon cross-examination the truth of the matter suggested.
What changedAI-inferred
Impeaching credit of witness.
Old position
IEA 155 is concerned with Impeaching credit of witness. Impeaching credit of witness
New position
BSA 161 preserves the framework with drafting modernisations as required by the new code. Topic: Statement relevant under.. Whenever any statement, relevant under section 26 or 27, is proved, all matters may be proved either in order to contradict or to corroborate it, or in order to impeach or confirm the credit of the person by whom it was made, which might
BSA 161 (Statement relevant under.) preserves the framework of IEA 155. BSA 161 retains the operative provisions in substantively the same form, with drafting modernisation and structural updates as required by the new code. BSA 161 text: Whenever any statement, relevant under section 26 or 27,...
Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)
BSA 161 (Statement relevant under.) preserves the framework of IEA 155. BSA 161 retains the operative provisions in substantively the same form, with drafting modernisation and structural updates as required by the new code.
BSA 161 text: Whenever any statement, relevant under section 26 or 27, is proved, all matters may be proved either in order to contradict or to corroborate it, or in order to impeach or confirm the credit of the person by whom it was made, which might have been proved if that person had been called as a witness and had denied upon...
Transitional note (repeal & savings)
For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IEA 155 continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BSA 161 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 161 (Statement relevant under.). 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 §155 → BSA §161 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-06-14, https://newlaws.in/iea/155.
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.