Defines evidence as covering two things: oral evidence (statements a court permits or requires witnesses to make about facts in question — including statements given electronically, e.g. video testimony) and documentary evidence (all documents, including electronic or digital records, produced for the court's inspection).
- Electronic and digital records are explicitly written into the core definition of evidence itself — the old law never expressly said this, and courts had to work it out through interpretation.
- Oral evidence can now be given electronically (e.g. video-link testimony), not just in person.
This is the foundation everything else builds on — knowing that digital records and remote testimony are now explicitly recognised as evidence, not just physical documents and in-person statements, matters for how you should document anything relevant to a legal matter.
Keep exploring
Electronic Records as Primary Evidence
Screenshots, emails, and digital documents you present as evidence now start from the same standing as an original paper document, rather than being treated as an automatically weaker substitute.
The Certificate Requirement for Electronic Evidence
If you're relying on digital evidence (CCTV footage, call records, chat exports) in any legal matter, getting the certificate right from the start matters just as much as having the record itself — this is a common way otherwise-solid digital evidence gets challenged.
This is a plain-English summary, not verbatim statutory text. Adhikar is an independent citizen-awareness platform, not a Government of India website. Always verify against the bare Act (legislative.gov.in) or a qualified advocate before relying on this for an actual legal situation.