Indecent and scandalous questions.
What this section does
The Court has the power to forbid questions or inquiries it considers indecent or scandalous, even if they have some bearing on the matter before the Court. However, this power does not extend to questions relating to facts in issue or matters necessary to determine whether facts in issue existed.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
The rule in one line
The Court may prohibit indecent or scandalous questions unless they directly relate to facts in issue or are necessary to determine the existence of facts in issue.
When it applies
- A question about a witness's sexual history that is tangential to the case may be forbidden as indecent even if it has some marginal relevance.
- A question about a complainant's prior conduct that is directly a fact in issue cannot be forbidden on grounds of indecency alone.
Derived from IEA s.151.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BSA Section 154, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BSA Section 154 forms part of Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam which replaced the Indian Evidence Act 1872 on 1 July 2024. Any new filing, FIR, charge sheet, or bail application made on or after that date should cite the new section number. References to the old act in legacy documents remain valid for matters that arose before the changeover.