धारा 96

When the holder of a negotiable instrument has himself endorsed it without obtaining the endorsement of any party prior to him, the burden of proving that such prior party endorsed it in his lifetime and did not obtain the endorsement of any party prior to that party, shall be on the holder. Where the instrument has been materially altered after the time of its issue, the burden of proving that the alteration was made with the consent of the party whose signature is altered, or was made by himself, shall be on the holder.