20Amendment of Act 1 of 1872

In the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, after section 111, the following section shall be inserted, namely:--

"111A.Presumption as to certain offences."--(1) Where a person is accused of having committed any offence specified in sub-section (2), in

(a) any area declared to be a disturbed area under any enactment, for the time being in force, making provision for the suppression of disorder and restoration and maintenance of public order; or

(b) any area in which there has been, over a period of more than one month, extensive disturbance of the public peace,

and it is shown that such person had been at a place in such area at a time when firearms or explosives were used at or from that place to attack or resist the members of any armed forces or the forces charged with the maintenance of public order acting in the discharge of their duties, it shall be presumed, unless the contrary is shown, that such person had committed such offence.

(2) The offences referred to in sub-section (1) are the following, namely:

(a) an offence under section 121, section 121A, section 122 or section 123 of the Indian Code (45 of 1860);

(b) criminal conspiracy or attempt to commit, or abetment of, an offence under section 122 or section 123 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860)."