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Section 54: Previous bad character not relevant, except in reply

The Indian Evidence Act, 1872Central Act · Act 1 of 1872

Repealed. This text is published for reference. It is not in force, and it should not be relied on as current law without checking what replaced it. Repealed by the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, with effect from 1 July 2024

1[54. Previous bad character not relevant, except in reply. -- In criminal proceedings, the fact that the accused person has a bad character, is irrelevant, unless evidence has been given that he has a good character, in which case it becomes relevant.

Explanation 1. -- This section does not apply to cases in which the bad character of any person is itself a fact in issue.

Explanation 2. -- A previous conviction is relevant as evidence of bad character. ]

Where this provision sits

ActThe Indian Evidence Act, 1872
Section54
Marginal notePrevious bad character not relevant, except in reply
JurisdictionCentral
StatusRepealed
Judgments citing it2

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