BSA Section 6: Motive, preparation and previous or subsequent conduct
Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 · Chapter 2: Relevancy of Facts
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6.
(1) Any fact is relevant which shows or constitutes a motive or preparation for any fact in issue or relevant fact.
(2) The conduct of any party, or of any agent to any party, to any suit or proceeding, in reference to such suit or proceeding, or in reference to any fact in issue therein or relevant thereto, and the conduct of any person, an offence against whom is the subject of any proceeding, is relevant, if such conduct influences or is influenced by any fact in issue or relevant fact, and whether it was previous or subsequent thereto.
Explanation 1.\u2014The word "conduct" in this section does not include statements, unless those statements accompany and explain acts other than statements; but this explanation is not to affect the relevancy of statements under any other section of this Adhiniyam.
Explanation 2.\u2014When the conduct of any person is relevant, any statement made to him or in his presence and hearing, which affects such conduct, is relevant.
Illustrations.
(a) A is tried for the murder of B.The facts that A murdered C,that B knew that A had murdered C, and that B had tried to extort money from A by threatening to make his knowledge public, are relevant.
(b) A sues B upon a bond for the payment of money. B denies the making of the bond. The fact that, at the time when the bond was alleged to be made, B required money for a particular purpose, is relevant.
(c) A is tried for the murder of B by poison. The fact that, before the death of B, A procured poison similar to that which was administered to B, is relevant.
(d) The question is, whether a certain document is the will of A. The facts that, not long before, the date of the alleged will, A made inquiry into matters to which the provisions of the alleged will relate; that he consulted advocates in reference to making the will, and that he caused drafts of other wills to be prepared, of which he did not approve, are relevant.
(e) A is accused of a crime. The facts that,either before,or at the time of,or after the alleged crime, A provided evidence which would tend to give to the facts of the case an appearance favourable to himself, or that he destroyed or concealed evidence, or prevented the presence or procured the absence of persons who might have been witnesses, or suborned persons to give false evidence respecting it, are relevant.
(f) The question is,whether A robbed B.The facts that,after B was robbed,C said in A's presence\u2014"the police are coming to look for the person who robbed B", and that immediately afterwards A ran away, are relevant.
(g) The question is, whether A owes B ten thousand rupees. The facts that A asked C to lend him money, and that D said to C in A's presence and hearing\u2014"I advise you not to trust A, for he owes B ten thousand rupees", and that A went away without making any answer, are relevant facts.
(h) The question is, whether A committed a crime. The fact that A absconded, after receiving a letter, warning A that inquiry was being made for the criminal, and the contents of the letter, are relevant.
(i) A is accused of a crime.The facts that,after the commission of the alleged crime, A absconded, or was in possession of property or the proceeds of property acquired by the crime, or attempted to conceal things which were or might have been used in committing it, are relevant.
(j) The question is,whether A was raped.The fact that,shortly after the alleged rape, A made a complaint relating to the crime, the circumstances under which, and the terms in which, the complaint was made, are relevant. The fact that, without making a complaint, A said that A had been raped is not relevant as conduct under this section, though it may be relevant as a dying declaration under clause (a) of section 26, or as corroborative evidence under section 160.
(k) The question is, whether A was robbed. The fact that, soon after the alleged robbery, A made a complaint relating to the offence, the circumstances under which, and the terms in which, the complaint was made, are relevant. The fact that A said he had been robbed, without making any complaint, is not relevant, as conduct under this section, though it may be relevant as a dying declaration under clause (a) of section 26, or as corroborative evidence under section 160.
Bare act text for reference, current to 1 July 2024. It is not legal advice; check the official gazette for authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 3. Evidence may be given of facts in issue and relevant facts
- 4. Relevancy of facts forming part of same transaction
- 5. Facts which are occasion, cause or effect of facts in issue or relevant facts
- 7. Facts necessary to explain or introduce fact in issue or relevant facts
- 8. Things said or done by conspirator in reference to common design
- 9. When facts not otherwise relevant become relevant
- 10. Facts tending to enable Court to determine amount are relevant in suits for damages
- 11. Facts relevant when right or custom is in question
- 12. Facts showing existence of state of mind, or of body or bodily feeling
- 13. Facts bearing on question whether act was accidental or intentional
- 14. Existence of course of business when relevant
- 15. Admission defined
- 16. Admission by party to proceeding or his agent
- 17. Admissions by persons whose position must be proved as against party to suit
- 18. Admissions by persons expressly referred to by party to suit
- 19. Proof of admissions against persons making them, and by or on their behalf
- 20. When oral admissions as to contents of documents are relevant
- 21. Admissions in civil cases when relevant
- 22. Confession caused by inducement, threat, coercion or promise, when irrelevant in criminal proceeding
- 23. Confession to police officer
- 24. Consideration of proved confession affecting person making it and others jointly under trial for same offence
- 25. Admissions not conclusive proof, but may estop
- 26. Cases in which statement of relevant fact by person who is dead or cannot be found, etc., is relevant
- 27. Relevancy of certain evidence for proving, in subsequent proceeding, truth of facts therein stated
- 28. Entries in books of account when relevant
- 29. Relevancy of entry in public record or an electronic record made in performance of duty
- 30. Relevancy of statements in maps, charts and plans
- 31. Relevancy of statement as to fact of public nature contained in certain Acts or notifications
- 32. Relevancy of statements as to any law contained in law books including electronic or digital form
- 33. What evidence to be given when statement forms part of conversation, document, electronic record, book or series of letters or papers
- 34. Previous judgments relevant to bar a second suit or trial
- 35. Relevancy of certain judgments in probate, etc., jurisdiction
- 36. Relevancy and effect of judgments, orders or decrees, other than those mentioned in section 35
- 37. Judgments, etc., other than those mentioned in sections 34, 35 and 36 when relevant
- 38. Fraud or collusion in obtaining judgment, or incompetency of Court, may be proved
- 39. Opinions of experts
- 40. Facts bearing upon opinions of experts
- 41. Opinion as to handwriting and signature, when relevant
- 42. Opinion as to existence of general custom or right, when relevant
- 43. Opinion as to usages, tenets, etc., when relevant
- 44. Opinion on relationship, when relevant
- 45. Grounds of opinion, when relevant
- 46. In civil cases character to prove conduct imputed, irrelevant
- 47. In criminal cases previous good character relevant
- 48. Evidence of character or previous sexual experience not relevant in certain cases
- 49. Previous bad character not relevant, except in reply
- 50. Character as affecting damages