Indian Evidence Act, 1872
IEA Section 126 in BSA
Professional communications. Section 126 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (Professional communications) corresponds to Section 132 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, Professional Ethics & BCI Misconduct, worth 12 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
Professional communications between an advocate and client are protected under:
Answer & explanation
Section 132 BSA
BSA Section 132 corresponds to IEA Section 126. The privilege does not extend to communications made in furtherance of any illegal purpose, or to facts showing a crime or fraud committed since the engagement.
An advocate who has advised a party in a matter may:
Answer & explanation
Not act for the opposite party in the same matter
The rule protects confidentiality of professional communications, reinforced by the evidence law which protects advocate-client communications from disclosure.
Sections either side of it
How the neighbouring provisions of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 were renumbered:
| IEA | Provision | BSA |
|---|---|---|
| 122 | Communications during marriage | 128 |
| 123 | Evidence as to affairs of State | 129 |
| 124 | Official communications | 130 |
| 129 | Confidential communication with legal advisers | 135 |
| 132 | Witness not excused from answering on ground that answer will criminate | 138 |
| 133 | Accomplice | 138 |
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