New Delhi: WhatsApp, probably the most extensively used prompt messaging app in India, enjoys immense recognition with customers throughout the globe. Just lately, the Delhi Excessive Courtroom dominated that WhatsApp chats can’t be admitted as proof in courtroom with out correct certification. In line with the Indian Proof Act, 1872, any proof have to be accompanied by the required certification to be thought-about legitimate in courtroom.
This choice got here in a case the place Dell Worldwide Companies Non-public Restricted challenged an order dated December 12, 2023, by the Delhi State Shopper Dispute Redressal Fee.
A buyer filed a grievance towards Dell in 2022. As a result of delay in responding to this grievance, the buyer courtroom fined Dell. Dell claimed they didn’t obtain a whole copy of the grievance, which triggered the delay of their response. To show this, Dell introduced a screenshot of a WhatsApp chat in courtroom.
In response to which the choose acknowledged that WhatsApp chats must be introduced with the required certification below the Indian Proof Act.
“Whatsapp conversations can’t be learn as proof with out there being a correct certificates as mandated below the Proof Act, 1872,” Bar and Bench quoted the Courtroom.
The HC added that there was no proof that this WhatsApp chat had been introduced within the shopper courtroom beforehand. Finally, the courtroom concluded that Dell filed their response late and that the WhatsApp chat couldn’t be thought-about proof. Subsequently, the buyer courtroom’s choice was deemed appropriate, and Dell’s petition was dismissed.
