Section 8: Motive, preparation and previous or subsequent conduct

Q: What does Section 8 of The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (IEA) deal with?

Section 8 IEA pertains to "Motive, preparation and previous or subsequent conduct". It is part of the The Indian Evidence Act, 1872, a legislation enacted by the Parliament of India. Section 8 of The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (IEA) governs motive, preparation and previous or subsequent conduct. This section has been superseded by Section 7 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA) for offences committed on or after 1 July 2024. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: Is Section 8 IEA still in force?

No, Section 8 has been superseded by Section 7 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA) effective 1 July 2024.

Q: What is धारा 8 IEA?

धारा 8 IEA is the Devanagari Hindi reference for Section 8 of the The Indian Evidence Act, 1872. Section 8 of The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (IEA) governs motive, preparation and previous or subsequent conduct. This section has been superseded by Section 7 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA) for offences committed on or after 1 July 2024. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: What is Dhara 8 IEA?

Dhara 8 IEA is the Roman Hindi reference for Section 8 of the The Indian Evidence Act, 1872. "Dhara" means "Section" in Hindi. Section 8 of The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (IEA) governs motive, preparation and previous or subsequent conduct. This section has been superseded by Section 7 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA) for offences committed on or after 1 July 2024. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: How to cite Section 8 of The Indian Evidence Act, 1872?

Cite as: "Section 8, The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (IEA)" in legal briefs. For academic writing, use the BlueBook format: The Indian Evidence Act, 1872, § 8 (India).

Q: Which section replaced IEA Section 8?

Section 8 has been replaced by Section 7 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA), effective from 1 July 2024 as part of India's criminal law reform.

Law on Tips Editorial Board

Any fact is relevant which shows or constitutes a motive or preparation for any fact in issue or relevant fact.

The conduct of any party, or of any agent to any party, to any suit or proceeding, in reference to such suit or proceeding, or in reference to any fact in issue or relevant thereto, and the conduct of any person an offence against whom is the subject of any proceeding is relevant, if such conduct influences or is influenced by any fact in issue or relevant fact, and whether it was previous or subsequent thereto.

Explanation 1. - The word "conduct " in this section does not include statements; unless those statements accompany and explain acts other than statements; but this explanation is not to affect the relevancy of statements under any other section of this Act.

Explanation 2. - When the conduct of any person is relevant, any statement made to him or in his presence and hearing, which affects such conduct, is relevant.

Illustrations

(a) A is tried for the murder of B.

(b) A sues B upon a bond for the payment of money. B denies the making of a bond.

(c) A is tried for the murder of B by poison.

(d) The question is, whether certain document is the will of A.

(e) A is accused of a crime.

(f) The question is, whether A robbed B.

(g) The question is, whether A owes B Rs. 10,000.

(h) The question is, whether A committed a crime.

(i) A is accused of a crime.

(j) The question is, whether A was ravished.

(k) The question is, whether A was robbed.