Witnesses to character

Q: When did Section 140 of the Indian Evidence Act come into force?

Section 140 of the Indian Evidence Act, cited as IEA 140, came into force on 01 Sep 1872, having been enacted on 15 Mar 1872. It is no longer in force.

Repealed From 01 Sep 1872 Act 1 of 1872 As on 15 Oct 2026

Act 1 of 1872 Ministry Law and Justice Enacted 15 Mar 1872 In force 01 Sep 1872

This provision is repealed. Repealed by section 170 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (47 of 2023) with effect from 1 July 2024. It is reproduced because conduct before that date is still charged, tried and appealed under it.

Section 140 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 deals with witnesses to character. Witnesses to character may be cross-examined and re-examined. The Act came into force on 01 Sep 1872. Repealed by section 170 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (47 of 2023) with effect from 1 July 2024, but conduct before that date is still charged, tried and appealed under it.

Witnesses to character may be cross-examined and re-examined.
Section 140, The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (Act 1 of 1872).

Now in the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam

BSA 145 Witnesses to character Text carried over almost unchanged 100%

Measured by comparing the text of the two provisions, not taken from an official correspondence table — there is no machine-readable one. See both texts side by side before relying on it.

Both regimes are live. The repealed enactment still governs what happened while it was in force. We never redirect one to the other.

Questions about Section 140

What does Section 140 of the Indian Evidence Act deal with?

Section 140 of the Indian Evidence Act is headed "Witnesses to character". Witnesses to character may be cross-examined and re-examined.

How do I find court cases under Section 140 of the Indian Evidence 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: IEA 140, section 140 IEA, section 140 of the Indian Evidence 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 140 of the Indian Evidence Act, and has it changed?

For anything done on or after 1 July 2024 the provision to read is BSA 145 (Witnesses to character), which replaced it; conduct before that date is still charged, tried and appealed under this section.

When did Section 140 of the Indian Evidence Act come into force?

Section 140 of the Indian Evidence Act, cited as IEA 140, came into force on 01 Sep 1872, having been enacted on 15 Mar 1872. It is no longer in force.

Other sections of this Act

32. Cases in which statement of relevant fact by person who is dead or cannot be found, etc., is relevant1207 words
14. Facts showing existence of state of mind, or of body of bodily feeling1080 words
92. Exclusion of evidence of oral agreement809 words
8. Motive, preparation and previous or subsequent conduct773 words
65B. Admissibility of electronic records743 words
3. Interpretation-clause667 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. Recovered from the consolidated text published by India Code (item e51341fa-7528-4327-9a57-5d194e16db6f). This page is not a substitute for legal advice.