Section 63 BSA Certificate Format for WhatsApp Evidence 2026 — Free Downloadable Template

Understanding Section 63 of BSA 2023

Section 63 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 replaced the old Section 65B of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. It governs the admissibility of electronic records in Indian courts. For WhatsApp evidence to be admissible, it must be accompanied by a certificate under Section 63(4)(c).

The Supreme Court in Arjun Panditrao Khotkar v. Kailash Kushanrao Gorantyal (2020) 7 SCC 1 made this certificate mandatory for all electronic evidence, including WhatsApp chats. The Delhi High Court in Dell International Services v. Adeel Feroze (2024) explicitly held: "WhatsApp conversations cannot be read as evidence without a proper certificate as mandated under the Evidence Act."

The Certificate Structure: Part A and Part B

Part A — Filled by the Party Producing Evidence

This section is filled by you (the litigant) or your advocate:

1. Identification of Electronic Record: Description of the WhatsApp chat (e.g., "WhatsApp chat with [Name] from [Date] to [Date]")
2. Manner of Production: How the record was produced (e.g., "Exported using WhatsApp's 'Export Chat' function on [Device] on [Date]")
3. Device Particulars: Smartphone model, OS version, WhatsApp version
4. Lawful Control Declaration: Statement that the device was under your lawful control during the relevant period
5. Operating Properly Statement: Confirmation that the device and WhatsApp were functioning properly
6. Signature and Date: Your signature with place and date

Part B — Filled by an Expert (Optional but Recommended)

This section is filled by a digital forensics expert or IT professional:

1. Hash Value Verification: Confirmation that the SHA-256 hash matches the original file
2. Integrity Confirmation: Statement that the file has not been altered
3. Expert Details: Name, qualification, and signature of the expert

Note: Part B is not strictly mandatory under BSA 2023, but courts give significantly more weight to evidence with expert verification. Chat2Evidence auto-computes the SHA-256 hash, which satisfies most court requirements.

Free Downloadable Certificate Template

CERTIFICATE UNDER SECTION 63(4)(c) OF THE
BHARATIYA SAKSHYA ADHINIYAM, 2023

PART A

1. Identification of Electronic Record:
   Description: WhatsApp chat conversation between [Your Name] and
   [Opposing Party Name] exported from device [Device Model].

   Period: From [Start Date] to [End Date]

   Total Messages: [Number]

   File Name: [WhatsApp_Chat_Name.zip / _chat.txt]

2. Manner of Production:
   The above electronic record was produced by exporting the WhatsApp
   chat using the 'Export Chat' function on [Date] at [Time].

   Export Method: [With Media / Without Media]

   The export was saved to [Location] and has been preserved
   without alteration since production.

3. Device Particulars:
   Device Model: [e.g., iPhone 15 Pro / Samsung Galaxy S23]

   Operating System: [e.g., iOS 17.4 / Android 14]

   WhatsApp Version: [e.g., 2.24.5.78]

   IMEI Number: [If available]

4. Declaration of Lawful Control:
   I declare that the above-mentioned device was under my lawful
   control during the period of the conversation and at the time
   of export.

5. Statement of Proper Operation:
   I declare that the device and WhatsApp application were
   operating properly during the relevant period and at the
   time of export, and that the electronic record was produced
   in the ordinary course of activity.

6. Hash Value (SHA-256):
   [64-character hexadecimal hash value auto-computed by Chat2Evidence]

Signature: ___________________

Name: [Your Full Name]

Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Place: [City, State]

---

PART B (Optional - Expert Verification)

I, [Expert Name], having examined the electronic record
described in Part A, hereby certify that:

1. The SHA-256 hash value stated in Part B has been verified
   against the original file and matches exactly.

2. The file has not been altered, tampered with, or modified
   in any way since the hash was computed.

3. The electronic record appears to be authentic and complete.

Expert Signature: ___________________

Expert Name: [Full Name]

Qualification: [e.g., B.Tech Computer Science, Digital Forensics Certification]

Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
        

How Chat2Evidence Auto-Generates This Certificate

When you upload your WhatsApp export to Chat2Evidence, the tool automatically:

1. Identifies the record: Extracts chat name, date range, and message count from the export file
2. Computes SHA-256 hash: Generates the 64-character cryptographic fingerprint
3. Populates device details: Uses the information you provide in the form
4. Formats the certificate: Structures it exactly per the BSA 2023 Schedule
5. Integrates with PDF: Places the certificate as Page 2 of your court-ready PDF

You only need to sign and date the printed certificate. Everything else is done automatically.

Common Mistakes in Certificate Preparation

Section 63 BSA vs Old Section 65B — Key Differences

Related Guides

• How to Submit WhatsApp Evidence in Court — Complete Process
• Section 63 BSA Certificate Template Explained
• Convert WhatsApp ZIP to Court PDF
• WhatsApp Audio Transcripts for Section 63 BSA