According to Section 46 of Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, when character evidence is relevant in civil cases?
Explanation & Strategy
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In civil cases, character evidence is generally inadmissible because civil disputes are decided on rights, obligations, and facts — not on moral character. However, Section 46 BSA creates a narrow exception: character evidence becomes admissible when it is directly connected to another fact that is already relevant to the case. For instance, in a defamation suit, the plaintiff's reputation (character) becomes relevant because damages depend on how much the defamation actually harmed their standing.
The text reads: Section 46 BSA: In civil cases, character evidence is irrelevant, except in so far as such character appears from facts otherwise relevant.
BSA S.46 corresponds to Evidence Act S.52 with the same restrictive approach to character evidence in civil cases.