Evidence of previous convictions and general character
Section 144 of the Army Act, 1950 deals with evidence of previous convictions and general character. When any person subject to this Act has been convicted by a court-martial of any offence, such court-martial may inquire into, and receive and record evidence of any previous convictions of such person, either by a court-martial or by a criminal court, or any previous award of punishment under any o The Act came into force on 22 Jul 1950.
(1) When any person subject to this Act has been convicted by a court-martial of any offence, such court-martial may inquire into, and receive and record evidence of any previous convictions of such person, either by a court-martial or by a criminal court, or any previous award of punishment under any of the sections 80, 83, 84 and 85, and may further inquire into and record the general character of such person and such other matters as may be prescribed.
(2) Evidence received under this section may be either oral, or in the shape of entries in, or certified extracts from, court-martial books or other official records; and it shall not be necessary to give notice before trial to the person tried that evidence as to his previous convictions or character will be received.
(3) At a summary court-martial the officer holding the trial may, if he thinks fit, record any previous convictions against the offender, his general character, and such other matters as may be prescribed, as of his own knowledge, instead of requiring them to be proved under the foregoing provisions of this section.
Section 144, The Army Act, 1950 (Act 46 of 1950).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
This section refers to
- s. 80 Punishment of persons other than officers, junior commissioned officers and warrant officers
- s. 83 Punishment of officers, junior commissioned officers and warrant officers by brigade commanders and others
- s. 84 Punishment of officers, junior commissioned officers and warrant officers by area commanders and others
- s. 85 Punishment of junior commissioned officers
Questions about Section 144
What does Section 144 of the Army Act deal with?
Section 144 of the Army Act is headed "Evidence of previous convictions and general character". When any person subject to this Act has been convicted by a court-martial of any offence, such court-martial may inquire into, and receive and record evidence of any previous convictions of such person, either by a court-martial or by a criminal court, or any previous award of punishment under any o
How do I find court cases under Section 144 of the Army Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Army Act 1950 144, section 144 Army Act 1950, section 144 of the Army Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
What should I read with Section 144 of the Army Act, and has it changed?
Its own text turns on section 80 (Punishment of persons other than officers, junior commissioned officers and warrant officers), section 83 (Punishment of officers, junior commissioned officers and warrant officers by brigade commanders and others), section 84 (Punishment of officers, junior commissioned officers and warrant officers by area commanders and others), section 85 (Punishment of junior commissioned officers), so none of them can safely be read on its own.
When did Section 144 of the Army Act come into force?
Section 144 of the Army Act, cited as Army Act 1950 144, came into force on 22 Jul 1950, having been enacted on 20 May 1950. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 3. Definitions961 words
- 142. Presumption as to certain documents547 words
- 90. Deductions from pay and allowances of officers422 words
- 91. Deductions from pay and allowances of persons other than officers415 words
- 34. Offences in relation to the enemy and punishable with death328 words
- 151. Order for disposal of property regarding which offence is committed303 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.