The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023
Section 49. Previous bad character not relevant, except in reply.
In criminal proceedings, the fact that the accused has a bad character, is irrelevant, unless evidence has been given that he has a good character, in which case it becomes relevant
Explanation 1.--This section does not apply to cases in which the bad character of any person is itself a fact in issue.
Explanation 2.--A previous conviction is relevant as evidence of bad character
Source: IndiaCode Portal, Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. Open on India Code Check against the official text before relying on it.
Replaces
Indian Evidence Act, 1872, Section 54
Pair from: BPR&D correspondence tables (bprd.mha.gov.in; A. K. Yadav, CAPT Bhopal)
Cases citing this section
No order or office report we hold cites this section yet.
Source: Order and office-report PDFs whose text cites the section, read by rule (document_citations); each case through its orders and office reports that carry the PDF