Section 145 BSA 2023: Witnesses to Character

Section 145 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA) is a short provision dealing with the examination of a witness who gives evidence about a person's character. It expressly allows such a character witness to be cross-examined and re-examined.

Meaning of Section 145 BSA

A "witness to character" is a witness whose evidence concerns the character or reputation of a person where such character evidence is legally relevant. Section 145 makes clear that a character witness is not exempt from the ordinary process of testing testimony.

The adverse party may cross-examine the witness. After cross-examination, the party who called the witness may re-examine the witness in accordance with the general rules governing examination of witnesses. The provision should therefore be read together with Section 143 BSA on the order of examinations and the succeeding provisions regulating cross-examination.

What cross-examination and re-examination mean

Under Section 142 BSA, examination by the adverse party is called cross-examination, while examination of the witness by the party who called the witness after cross-examination is called re-examination.

For a character witness, cross-examination may be used to test the basis, reliability and weight of the witness's testimony, subject to the other safeguards and restrictions contained in the BSA. Re-examination is ordinarily used to explain matters arising from cross-examination.

Practical scope of Section 145

Related provisions on examination of witnesses

• Section 141 - Judge to decide as to admissibility of evidence
• Section 142 - Examination of witnesses
• Section 143 - Order of examinations
• Section 144 - Cross-examination of person called to produce a document
• Section 146 - Leading questions
• Section 147 - Evidence as to matters in writing
• Section 148 - Cross-examination as to previous statements in writing
• Section 149 - Questions lawful in cross-examination
• Section 150 - When witness to be compelled to answer

Official text and legal reference

The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 is Act No. 47 of 2023. The official Act was published after receiving Presidential assent on 25 December 2023. For authoritative text, users should refer to the official Government of India publication.

• Ministry of Home Affairs - New Criminal Laws
• Official Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 PDF

Note: Section 145 BSA should not be confused with Section 145 of the repealed Indian Evidence Act, 1872, which dealt with cross-examination as to previous statements in writing. Under the BSA, that subject is contained in Section 148.

Updated: 13 September 2026. This page is intended for general legal information. Always verify the statutory text and current judicial interpretation before relying on it in a proceeding.