Presumption as to due execution, etc., of documents not produced
Section 89 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 deals with presumption as to due execution, etc., of documents not produced. The Court shall presume that every document, called for and not produced after notice to produce, was attested, stamped and executed in the manner required by law. 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 Repealed by section 170 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (47 of 2023) with effect from 1 July 2024, but conduct before that date is still charged, tried and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.
The Court shall presume that every document, called for and not produced after notice to produce, was attested, stamped and executed in the manner required by law.
Section 89, The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (Act 1 of 1872).
Now in the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam
BSA 91 Presumption as to due execution, etc., of documents not produced 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 The repealed enactment still governs what happened while it was in force.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.
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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State of Gujarat vs Visheshbhai Kali Chhaganbhai Gangavane
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
A confessional statement recorded under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is not substantive evidence but a former statement made before a legally competent authority. Such statements can be used for corroboration or contradiction of witness testimony and can be admitted and exhibited without the Magistrate who recorded them being examined as a witness. The correct legal framework for admitting such judicial records is Section 80 of the Indian Evidence Act, which creates a presumption of genuineness and proper recording, not Section 89 which applies only to secondary evidence cases under Sections 65(a) and 66.
On this section: Establishes presumption as to documents called for and not produced after notice; applies only to cases under Section 65(a) and 66 - INCORRECTLY APPLIED by trial court
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Questions about Section 89
What have the courts held on Section 89 of the Indian Evidence Act?
State of Gujarat vs Visheshbhai Kali Chhaganbhai Gangavane (07 Nov 2014) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Establishes presumption as to documents called for and not produced after notice; applies only to cases under Section 65(a) and 66 - INCORRECTLY APPLIED by trial court.
How do I find court cases under Section 89 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 89, section 89 IEA, section 89 of the Indian Evidence Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with State of Gujarat vs Visheshbhai Kali Chhaganbhai Gangavane (07 Nov 2014).
What should I read with Section 89 of the Indian Evidence Act, and has it changed?
For anything done on or after 1 July 2024 the provision to read is BSA 91 (Presumption as to due execution, etc., of documents not produced), which replaced it; conduct before that date is still charged, tried and appealed under this section.
When did Section 89 of the Indian Evidence Act come into force?
Section 89 of the Indian Evidence Act, cited as IEA 89, 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.