Subscribe to the Bombay Chartered Accountant Journal Subscribe Now!

July 2016

Evidence – Electronic records – Secondary evidence of electronic records inadmissible unless requirements of section 65B are satisfied. [Evidence Act, 1872, Section 65B]

By Dr. K. Shivaram
Senior Advocate; Rahul K. Hakani
Advocate
Reading Time 1 mins
fiogf49gjkf0d
Anvar P.V. vs. P. K. Basheer & Ors AIR 2015 SC 180.

The Supreme Court was dealing with an appeal filed against order whereby High Court had dismissed election petition holding that corrupt practices pleaded in the petition were not proved and hence, election could not be set aside u/s. 100(1)(b) of the Representation of People Act, 1951. The corrupt practice alleged were use of objectionable speeches, songs and announcements which were recorded using other instruments and by feeding them into computer, CDs were made therefrom which were produced in the court. However, the same were produced without due certification in terms of section 65B of the Evidence Act 1872. It was held that in case of CD, VCD, chip, etc., same shall be accompanied by certificate in terms of section 65B of the Evidence Act obtained at the time of taking the document, without which, secondary evidence pertaining to electronic record is inadmissible in respect of CDs. Thus, whole case set up regarding corrupt practice using songs, announcements and speeches fall to ground.

Download PDF

You May Also Like

Co-operative Society – Transfer of membership to flat by nomination or inheritance – Co-operative society bound to transfer to nominee where valid nomination made. [West Bengal co-operative Societies Act,1983, Section 80,79]

Welcome GST – VA T (GST) in Canada