Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam

The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (IAST: Bhāratīya Sākśya Adhiniyam; lit. 'Indian Evidence Act') is an Act of the Parliament of India.

Background and timeline

 * On 11 August 2023, Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs, introduced the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 in Lok Sabha.
 * On 12 December 2023, the Bharatiya Sakshya bill, 2023 was withdrawn.
 * On 12 December 2023, the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) bill, 2023 was introduced in Lok Sabha.
 * On 20 December 2023, the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) bill, 2023 was passed in Lok Sabha.
 * On 21 December 2023, the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) bill, 2023 was introduced in Rajya Sabha.
 * On 21 December 2023, the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) bill, 2023 was passed in Rajya Sabha.
 * On 25 December 2023, the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) bill, 2023 received the assent of the President of India.

Structure
The Adhiniyam consists of 170 sections as opposed to the 167 sections in the previous Indian Evidence Act. Of these 167 sections, 23 sections have been modified, five removed, and one more section added.

Criticism
The new law makes it difficult for defendants to defend themselves at court & encourages prosecutors to produce potentially dubious evidence.