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CrPC · Chapter XXIII · Evidence in inquiries and trials

CrPC section 294 in the BNSS

CrPC 294BNSS 330

CrPC section 294, “No formal proof of certain documents”, is now BNSS section 330 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in force from 1 July 2024.

What changed

From CrPC 294 to BNSS 330

Now BNSS section 330. The prosecution or accused must admit or deny the genuineness of documents filed by the other side soon after they are supplied and within thirty days, which the Court may relax for recorded reasons. Experts need not be called unless their report is disputed.

The official text

Old and new, side by side

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 294 No formal proof of certain documents

(1) Where any document is filed before any Court by the prosecution or the accused, the particulars of every such document shall be included in a list and the prosecution or the accused, as the case may be, or the pleader for the prosecution or the accused, if any, shall be called upon to admit or deny the genuineness of each such document.

(2) The list of documents shall be in such form as be prescribed by the State Government.

(3) Where the genuineness of any document is not disputed, such document may be read in evidence in inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Code without proof of the signature of the person to whom it purports to be signed:

Provided that the Court may, in its discretion, require such signature to be proved.

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Section 330 No formal proof of certain documents

(1) Where any document is filed before any Court by the prosecution or the accused, the particulars of every such document shall be included in a list and the prosecution or the accused or the advocate for the prosecution or the accused, if any, shall be called upon to admit or deny the genuineness of each such document soon after supply of such documents and in no case later than thirty days after such supply:

Provided that the Court may, in its discretion, relax the time limit with reasons to be recorded in writing:

Provided further that no expert shall be called to appear before the Court unless the report of such expert is disputed by any of the parties to the trial.

(2) The list of documents shall be in such form as the State Government may, by rules, provide.

(3) Where the genuineness of any document is not disputed, such document may be read in evidence in any inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Sanhita without proof of the signature of the person by whom it purports to be signed:

Provided that the Court may, in its discretion, require such signature to be proved.

The texts are India Code’s. The amendment markers and footnotes of the official print are left out, so the old section reads as it stood when it was repealed; State amendments are not shown. The PDFs linked below carry the full history.

Old law or new?

Which one applies to a case

The BNSS repealed the CrPC from 1 July 2024 (section 531(1)). Any appeal, application, trial, inquiry or investigation pending immediately before that date is disposed of under the CrPC as it then stood, as if the BNSS had not come into force (section 531(2)(a)). Anything not pending on that date follows the BNSS.

Sources

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