📘 Understanding BSA Section 74 – Public and Private Documents (Made Simple!)

Not all documents are treated the same in court. Some have official status, while others need further proof. That’s exactly what Section 74 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) explains — by dividing documents into Public and Private categories.

📜 Section 74: What’s it about?

It defines:
🔹 Public Documents – Official records made by government bodies, courts, or public officers (like birth certificates, court judgments, government orders).
🔹 Private Documents – Everything else! These include personal agreements, letters, and business contracts created between private individuals or entities.

🧠 Why it matters:

Public documents are self-proving — courts accept them without needing extra evidence.

Private documents need proof — like witness testimony or verification.

⚖️ Understanding this distinction helps in presenting the right kind of evidence in legal proceedings.