Indian Evidence Act, 1872
IEA Section 118 in BSA
Who may testify. Section 118 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (Who may testify) corresponds to Section 124 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
The presumption as to dowry death is contained in:
Answer & explanation
Section 118 BSA
BSA Section 118 corresponds to IEA Section 113B. Where it is shown the woman was subjected to cruelty for dowry soon before her death, the court shall presume the accused caused the dowry death.
Who may testify as a witness?
Answer & explanation
All persons unless prevented from understanding or answering rationally
BSA Section 124 corresponds to IEA Section 118. A child, a lunatic during a lucid interval, or a very old person may testify if capable of understanding and answering rationally.
Sections either side of it
How the neighbouring provisions of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 were renumbered:
| IEA | Provision | BSA |
|---|---|---|
| 114A | Presumption as to absence of consent in certain prosecutions for rape | 120 |
| 115 | Estoppel | 121 |
| 116 | Estoppel of tenant and of licensee of person in possession | 122 |
| 119 | Witness unable to communicate verbally | 125 |
| 120 | Parties to civil suit and their wives or husbands as witnesses | 126 |
| 121 | Judges and Magistrates | 127 |
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