The Rajya Sabha on Monday passed the Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026, by voice vote, seeking to update the legal framework governing the use of banking records as evidence in court. The legislation was passed after Opposition members walked out before a detailed discussion, following repeated disruptions and adjournments in the House earlier in the day.

The Bill seeks to replace the 135-year-old Bankers' Books Evidence Act of 1891, which was enacted when banking records were primarily maintained in physical form. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while explaining the legislation, noted that the earlier law was designed to allow certified copies of bank records to be presented as evidence, reducing the need for bank officials to produce original ledgers during legal proceedings.

Sitharaman explained that banking practices have changed substantially with the expansion of digital banking and the use of modern technology to create, store and maintain financial records. The government therefore introduced the legislation to bring the evidentiary framework in line with contemporary banking practices while providing what she described as full privacy and safeguards for the records covered by the law.

Also Read: Lok Sabha Passes Bill To Recognise Digital Bank Records As Evidence

The passage followed a heated exchange between Vice-Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge after Opposition members continued raising slogans when the Bill was introduced. Singh told Kharge that he would be allowed to speak under the rules if his remarks remained confined to the legislation, before calling several other members from different parties and states to participate in the proceedings.

Members who spoke during the consideration of the Bill broadly welcomed the technological update to the law while also raising issues concerning data privacy and safeguards. The discussion involved members from parties including the AITC, BJP, BJD, YSRCP, NCP, TDP, VRS, DMDK, AIADMK and Shiv Sena, reflecting the wider parliamentary consideration of the proposed changes to the banking evidence framework.

Earlier in the afternoon, Rajya Sabha proceedings had been adjourned until 2.15 pm after an attempt by Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh to call the Finance Minister was disrupted within minutes by continuing Opposition protests. The House later resumed, with Sitharaman moving the Bill, which had already been passed by the Lok Sabha, for consideration before it was ultimately approved by voice vote.

Also Read: Lok Sabha Passes Bill To Recognise Digital Bank Records As Evidence