BSA Section 96: Exclusion of evidence to explain or amend ambiguous document
Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 · Chapter 6: Of the Exclusion of Oral Evidence by Documentary Evidence
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¶96. When the language used in a document is, on its face, ambiguous or defective, evidence may not be given of facts which would show its meaning or supply its defects.
¶Illustrations.
¶(a) A agrees, in writing, to sell a horse to B for "one lakh rupees or one lakh fifty thousand rupees". Evidence cannot be given to show which price was to be given.
¶(b) A deed contains blanks. Evidence cannot be given of facts which would show how they were meant to be filled.
Study: explanations and related material
Replaces IEA 93. IEA → BSA converterSource: BPR&D BSA–IEA corresponding section table (UP Police, 2024-07-03)
Official reference: Ministry of Home Affairs: Gazette text, 25 December 2023 — source link checked: 2 October 2026.Recorded edition / snapshot date: 2024-07-01.Mobile-app reference import; the recorded snapshot date is not a fresh legal-currency guarantee. The linked government text is an independent authoritative reference, not certification that this website reproduces the same edition. The source link was checked, not every provision or subsequent amendment. Check commencement notifications, savings and jurisdiction-specific variations separately.
This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 94. Evidence of terms of contracts, grants and other dispositions of property reduced to form of document
- 95. Exclusion of evidence of oral agreement
- 97. Exclusion of evidence against application of document to existing facts
- 98. Evidence as to document unmeaning in reference to existing facts
- 99. Evidence as to application of language which can apply to one only of several persons
- 100. Evidence as to application of language to one of two sets of facts, to neither of which the whole correctly applies
- 101. Evidence as to meaning of illegible characters, etc
- 102. Who may give evidence of agreement varying terms of document
- 103. Saving of provisions of Indian Succession Act relating to wills