Indian Evidence Act, 1872

Section 16

Existence of course of business when relevant

⚡ Quick Answer Reference: Section 16 IEA

Provision: Section 16 of IEA
Act: Indian Evidence Act, 1872
Classification: evidence
Jurisdiction: India
Summary: This section says that when there's a question about whether a particular act was done, the existence of any course of business that naturally would have led to that act is a relevant fact. This means that if there's a pattern or routine that would have caused the act, it's relevant to the case.

Statutory Content

What does Section 16 of IEA say?

When there is a question whether a particular act was done, the existence of any course of business, according to which it naturally would have been done, is a relevant fact.

Indian StandardSection 16, Indian Evidence Act, 1872

Bluebook (21st ed.)Indian Evidence Act, 1872, § 16 (India)

Court Pleading StandardSection 16 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872

Canonical Web linkhttps://nyaya.cloud/acts/indian-evidence-act-1872/16

Embed this Section Card

Want to display this Section explanation card on your website? Copy and paste the HTML code below:

<iframe src="https://nyaya.cloud/api/widget/section?act=indian-evidence-act-1872&sec=16" width="100%" height="250" style="border:none; border-radius:8px;"></iframe>

Source: Gazette of India (Official Publication)Verify egazette.gov.in ↗

✓ VERIFIED FOR LEGAL ACCURACYReviewed & certified by Advocate Meera Reddy (Bar Council ID: AP/2910/2019).

AI Educational GuideAI-generated explanation for educational and research purposes. Original statutory text is preserved exactly.

Section Meaning & Purpose

What does Section 16 of IEA mean?

Plain English Explanation

This section says that when there's a question about whether a particular act was done, the existence of any course of business that naturally would have led to that act is a relevant fact. This means that if there's a pattern or routine that would have caused the act, it's relevant to the case.

Practical Interpretation

In real-life cases, this section helps courts consider the context and routine of a business or organization when determining whether a particular act was done. It's a way to look at the bigger picture and understand how things are typically done.

Core Legal Purpose

The core purpose of this section is to provide a way for courts to consider the existence of a course of business as a relevant fact when determining whether a particular act was done. This helps to provide context and understanding of the situation.

Key Legal Elements

•There must be a question about whether a particular act was done.
•There must be a course of business that naturally would have led to that act.
•The existence of the course of business is a relevant fact.
•This section does not provide any exceptions or limitations.

Practical Example

Practical Example of Section 16 IEA

Suppose Rajesh, a manager at a bank, is accused of not depositing a large sum of money into the bank's account. The prosecution wants to prove that Rajesh did indeed deposit the money, but it was deposited under a different account number. In this case, the existence of the bank's routine of depositing large sums of money into a specific account number is a relevant fact. The court can consider this routine to determine whether Rajesh followed the usual procedure and deposited the money as alleged.

Common Questions (FAQ)

Frequently Asked Questions about Section 16 IEA

Q: What is the punishment or consequence under Section 16 of IEA?

This section is a procedural provision and does not prescribe a penal punishment.

Q: Does this section apply to private individuals or public entities?

This section applies to both private individuals and public entities, as it deals with the existence of a course of business, which can be relevant in any case.

Q: Is an offence under this section bailable or cognizable?

This section is a procedural provision and does not prescribe a penal punishment, so it is neither bailable nor cognizable.

Common Questions about Section 16 IEA

What is Section 16 of IEA?

Section 16 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (IEA) defines and regulates "Existence of course of business when relevant". In plain terms: This section says that when there's a question about whether a particular act was done, the existence of any course of business that naturally would have led to that act is a relevant fact. This means that if there's a pattern or routine that would have caused the act, it's relevant to the case.

What are the elements of Section 16 of IEA?

The essential elements of Section 16 of IEA are: There must be a question about whether a particular act was done.; There must be a course of business that naturally would have led to that act.; The existence of the course of business is a relevant fact..

Landmark Case Laws