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Indian Evidence Act, 1872

IEA Section 33 in BSA

§ 33 IEA→§ 27 BSA

Relevancy of certain evidence for proving truth of facts stated in a former proceeding. Section 33 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (Relevancy of certain evidence for proving truth of facts stated in a former proceeding) corresponds to Section 27 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 CrPC & Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Evidence Act & Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, worth 18 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

Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are given below. Decide whether each is true, and if so whether (R) correctly explains (A). Assertion (A): A confession made to a police officer is inadmissible even if it leads to the discovery of a fact. Reason (R): So much of the information as distinctly relates to the fact thereby discovered may be proved.

Answer & explanation

(A) is false, but (R) is true

(A) is wrong: § 23(2) BSA (§ 27 IEA) is an exception. (R) states that exception correctly, which is why (A) is false and (R) is true.

Where to find it: Discovery and Confession

So much of the information given by an accused in police custody as distinctly relates to the fact thereby discovered is:

Answer & explanation

Admissible in evidence to the extent it relates to the fact discovered

This is the discovery exception, corresponding to IEA Section 27, now in the proviso to BSA Section 23(2). Only that part of the statement which distinctly relates to the fact discovered is admissible.

Where to find it: BSA, Chapter II

Sections either side of it

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

IEAProvisionBSA
26Confession by accused while in custody of police not to be proved against him23(2)
27How much of information received from accused may be proved23(2) proviso
32Cases in which statement of relevant fact by person who is dead or cannot be found is relevant26
35Relevancy of entry in public record made in performance of duty29
40Previous judgments relevant to bar a second suit or trial34
43Judgments other than those mentioned, when relevant37

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