Section 32 Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023: Relevancy of statements as to any law contained in law books including electronic or digital form

Section 32 of Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023: Relevancy of statements as to any law contained in law books including electronic or digital form

Official Bare Act Text

Override / Mandate Mens Rea (Intent) Actus Reus (Conduct) Punishment Limitation Monetary

When the Court has to form an opinion as to a law of any country, any statement of such law contained in a book purporting to be printed or published including in electronic or digital form under the authority of the Government of such country and to contain any such law, and any report of a ruling of the Courts of such country contained in a book including in electronic or digital form purporting to be a report of such rulings, is relevant.

Statutory Defined Terms in this Section: (Click any term for official legal definition)

Court Sec 2(1)(a)

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 32

Section 32 establishes the relevancy of statements of facts in issue or relevant facts made in published maps, charts, or plans offered for public sale, or made under the authority of the Central or State Government.

Public Sale Availability: Maps and charts published for public circulation and commercial sale are presumed relevant regarding general geographical facts.
Government Authority: Cadastral surveys, city development master plans, and revenue survey maps prepared under executive authority enjoy statutory relevancy.
Survey Boundary Proof: Commonly utilized in land title, municipal demarcation, and easement litigation.

Key Landmark Precedents:

Ram Kishore Sen v. Union of India (AIR 1966 SC 644): The Supreme Court held that revenue survey maps and cadastral plans prepared under state authority carry strong evidentiary value regarding territorial limits and possession.
State of H.P. v. Sukhvinder Singh (2004) 5 SCC 515: Reiterated that private sketch maps not prepared under official authority require formal proof by the architect or surveyor who drafted them.

Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:

In boundary and property title trials, produce certified revenue survey maps from the Directorate of Land Records rather than police site plans, as official government surveys invoke statutory presumption of accuracy.