Section 50
Character as affecting damages
Reviewed by Ravi Sisodia · Last reviewed 10 October 2026
Official text of section 50 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (Chapter II: Relevancy of facts), with the matching section of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
Section 50, official text
In civil cases, the fact that the character of any person is such as to affect the amount of damages which he ought to receive, is relevant.
Explanation.—In this section and sections 46, 47 and 49, the word "character" includes both reputation and disposition; but, except as provided in section 49, evidence may be given only of general reputation and general disposition, and not of particular acts by which reputation or disposition has been shown.
Source: The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (Act 47 of 2023), Gazette of India Extraordinary, in force from 1 July 2024. The signed Gazette controls.
Compared with the Indian Evidence Act, 1872
Section 50 replaces Section 55 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (“Character as affecting damages”). The wording is largely the same, with drafting changes such as renumbered or lettered sub-clauses and updated terms. The 1872 Act was repealed by section 170 of the Adhiniyam, which saves proceedings pending on 1 July 2024.
Nearby sections
- Section 48 — Evidence of character or previous sexual experience not relevant in certain cases
- Section 49 — Previous bad character not relevant, except in reply
- Section 51 — Fact judicially noticeable need not be proved
- Section 52 — Facts of which Court shall take judicial notice
Source and review trail
The text above is taken from the Gazette of India publication of the Act. Check later amendments and the signed Gazette before relying on it.
- Official text
- NCRB — Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, section 50