Section 77 of BSA : Section 77: Proof of other official documents.

Explanation using Example

Example 1:

Scenario: Ramesh is involved in a legal dispute regarding the ownership of a piece of land. He claims that the land was allocated to him by the State Government through an official order.

Application of Section 77: Ramesh can prove the official order by:

• Obtaining a certified copy of the order from the relevant Department, signed by the head of that Department.
• Presenting a document that appears to be printed by the order of the State Government.

Example 2:

Scenario: Priya is contesting a local municipal decision that affects her property rights. She needs to present evidence of the municipal proceedings where the decision was made.

Application of Section 77: Priya can prove the municipal proceedings by:

• Obtaining a certified copy of the proceedings from the legal keeper of the municipal records.
• Presenting a printed book that appears to be published by the authority of the municipal body.

Example 3:

Scenario: An Indian company is involved in a trade dispute with a foreign company. The Indian company needs to present evidence of a foreign legislative act that impacts the contract terms.

Application of Section 77: The Indian company can prove the foreign legislative act by:

• Presenting journals published by the authority of the foreign country.
• Providing a copy certified under the seal of the foreign country or sovereign.
• Showing recognition of the act in any Central Act of India.

Example 4:

Scenario: A journalist is writing an article on a new regulation issued by the President of India and needs to cite the official proclamation.

Application of Section 77: The journalist can prove the proclamation by:

• Providing copies or extracts of the regulation contained in the Official Gazette.

Example 5:

Scenario: An Indian student studying abroad needs to authenticate a public document from the foreign university for use in India.

Application of Section 77: The student can prove the public document by:

• Presenting the original document or a copy certified by the legal keeper of the document.
• Obtaining a certificate under the seal of a Notary Public, or an Indian Consul or diplomatic agent, confirming that the copy is duly certified by the officer having legal custody of the original.
• Providing proof of the character of the document according to the law of the foreign country.