New law lists bankers’ digital books as legal evidence

Parliament yesterday passed the Bankers' Book Evidence Bill 2021, defining digitally recorded documents used in the ordinary business of banks as legal evidence admissible in court.

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal placed the bill that was passed by voice vote.

The new law is going to replace the Bankers' Book Evidence Act 1891 that lacked the concept of digitally recorded evidence.

Many aspects of the current law are not consistent with present day practices. Besides, banks are now working digitally, a setting not mentioned in the previous law. The new law states of it clearly.

The new law has suggested making information public, except for privileged and personal information, on taking permission from a court of law and fixing authorities who can do that.

It also spoke of some information which it authorises to be published. It defines court jurisdictions for any bank-related information. Making public such information was totally prohibited in the old one.

The new law also states of some offences, punishments and trials to prevent unauthorised and behind the scenes leak of any information.