Indian Evidence Act, 1872
IEA Section 138 in BSA
Order of examinations. Section 138 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (Order of examinations) corresponds to Section 143 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
A conviction is not illegal merely because it proceeds on the uncorroborated testimony of an accomplice. This is stated in:
Answer & explanation
Section 138 BSA
BSA Section 138 corresponds to IEA Section 133. It must be read with the illustration to the presumption provision, under which the court may presume an accomplice is unworthy of credit unless corroborated in material particulars.
Leading questions may be asked:
Answer & explanation
In cross-examination
BSA Sections 146 to 147 correspond to IEA Sections 141 to 143. In examination-in-chief and re-examination, leading questions may be asked only with the court's permission, generally on introductory or undisputed matters.
An accomplice is:
Answer & explanation
A competent witness, and a conviction on his uncorroborated testimony is not illegal
§ 138 BSA read with the presumption in § 119(b) that his evidence is unworthy of credit unless corroborated in material particulars.
Sections either side of it
How the neighbouring provisions of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 were renumbered:
| IEA | Provision | BSA |
|---|---|---|
| 134 | Number of witnesses | 139 |
| 135 | Order of production and examination of witnesses | 140 |
| 137 | Examination-in-chief, cross-examination and re-examination | 142 |
| 140 | Witnesses to character | 145 |
| 141 | Leading questions | 146 |
| 142 | When leading questions must not be asked | 147 |
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