New Delhi, 05 August (H.S.): The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026 by a voice vote amid persistent protests by Opposition members. Following the disruption, the House was adjourned until 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 6.

The Bill, as passed by the Lok Sabha, seeks to establish a modern legal framework governing evidence derived from bankers' books and records, aligning the law with contemporary digital banking practices. It also provides for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto.

Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had introduced the Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha on Monday. The proposed legislation will replace the 125-year-old colonial-era Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1891.

The primary objective of the Bill is to modernise the legal framework governing evidence from bankers' records in line with the requirements of today's digital banking ecosystem. It provides that electronic and digital records maintained in bankers' books shall be admissible as evidence and shall be recognised as legally valid and enforceable in judicial and legal proceedings.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar