Section 159
Questions tending to corroborate evidence of relevant fact, admissible
Reviewed by Ravi Sisodia · Last reviewed 10 October 2026
Official text of section 159 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (Chapter X: Of examination of witnesses), with the matching section of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
Section 159, official text
When a witness whom it is intended to corroborate gives evidence of any relevant fact, he may be questioned as to any other circumstances which he observed at or near to the time or place at which such relevant fact occurred, if the Court is of opinion that such circumstances, if proved, would corroborate the testimony of the witness as to the relevant fact which he testifies.
Illustration. A, an accomplice, gives an account of a robbery in which he took part. He describes various incidents unconnected with the robbery which occurred on his way to and from the place where it was committed. Independent evidence of these facts may be given in order to corroborate his evidence as to the robbery itself.
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 159 replaces Section 156 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (“Questions tending to corroborate evidence of relevant fact, admissible”). The wording is substantially the same as the earlier section. The 1872 Act was repealed by section 170 of the Adhiniyam, which saves proceedings pending on 1 July 2024.
Nearby sections
- Section 157 — Question by party to his own witness
- Section 158 — Impeaching credit of witness
- Section 160 — Former statements of witness may be proved to corroborate later testimony as to same fact
- Section 161 — What matters may be proved in connection with proved statement relevant under section 26 or 27
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 159