Understanding Computer-Generated Documents: How Are They Proven in Court Disputes?

Why do computer-generated documents not require a signature? In the event of disputes, how can such documents be proven in court? Is there any provision in the Indian Evidence Act regarding the proof of such documents? Please guide.

Your answer lies within the Information Technology Act of 2000. According to the act, if a digital signature (not the scanned copy or impression of the signatures) is affixed, it serves as valid proof admissible in the Court of Law.

Vineet Agarwal
vineet.agarwal@spil.co.in

Dear,

Please clarify if we are discussing the documents that need to be maintained under the Labour Laws.

Ak Malhotra
Sr. General Manager
Dharampal Satyapal Limited

As per Section 4 of the IT Act, 2000, it clearly provides the following provision:

Legal recognition of electronic records

Where any law provides that information or any other matter shall be in writing or in the typewritten or printed form, then, notwithstanding anything contained in such law, such requirement shall be deemed to have been satisfied if such information or matter is-

(a) rendered or made available in an electronic form; and

(b) accessible so as to be usable for a subsequent reference.

Further, Section 81 provides that the provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any other law for the time being in force.

A clear reading of these sections clearly has an overriding effect on the other laws currently in force in India. Needless to say, labor laws are also not an exception to the same.

Vineet AGARWAL CS, SPIL