Why in the News
The Lok Sabha has cleared the Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, 2026, replacing the colonial Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891. It modernises how bank records are admitted as evidence in court, amid data-privacy concerns.
What does the Bill change?
- Digital records: It recognises electronic and digital bank records as admissible evidence, aligning with modern banking.
- Officer powers: It empowers a senior-rank officer to certify records and use hash values to verify integrity.
Why do concerns remain?
- Data privacy: Wider access to digital bank records raises questions on safeguards for customer financial data.
- Certification standards: The reliability of hash-based verification depends on tamper-proof audit trails.
- Overlap with new codes: The Bill must sit consistently with the recently enacted evidence and criminal law framework.
Conclusion
The Bill updates a 19th-century evidence law for a digital banking era. The next milestone is Rajya Sabha clearance and rules on data safeguards.
