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Indian Evidence Act, 1872

IEA Section 103 in BSA

§ 103 IEA→§ 106 BSA

Burden of proof as to particular fact. Section 103 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (Burden of proof as to particular fact) corresponds to Section 106 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023.

Verify before you rely on this. Renumbering under the 2023 codes is not a clean one-to-one exercise — provisions were merged, split and reworded. Always check the printed bare act.

Where this sits in the exam

This provision is examined under Evidence Act & Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, worth 8 of the 100 marks in AIBE XXII. The paper permits bare acts but bans notes, so what matters is finding it quickly, not reciting the number.

Questions that turn on this section

When a fact is especially within the knowledge of a person, the burden of proving it lies:

Answer & explanation

On the person within whose special knowledge the fact lies

BSA Section 109 corresponds to IEA Section 106. It does not shift the general burden on the prosecution to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Where to find it: BSA, Chapter VII

Statement: Section 106 BSA places the burden of proving a fact especially within a person's knowledge upon that person. Conclusion I: It relieves the prosecution of proving the ingredients of the offence. Conclusion II: In a case of a death inside a house occupied by the accused, his failure to explain is a circumstance that may be weighed. Which is correct?

Answer & explanation

Only Conclusion II follows

The provision never shifts the primary burden; the prosecution must still make out its case. Once it does, an unexplained fact within the accused's knowledge becomes an additional link.

Where to find it: Chapter VII — Burden of Proof

Sections either side of it

How the neighbouring provisions of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 were renumbered:

IEAProvisionBSA
92Exclusion of evidence of oral agreement95
101Burden of proof104
102On whom burden of proof lies105
104Burden of proving fact to be proved to make evidence admissible107
105Burden of proving that case of accused comes within exceptions108
106Burden of proving fact especially within knowledge109

Practise it

Cutoff has AIBE XXII questions on this area, each cited to both codes with a line telling you where to find it in the bare act. Ten questions per subject are free, no account needed.

Practise free Full IEA→BSA table