As an outcome of the widespread distribution of digital technology in the modern world, the inclusion of electronic evidence in judicial procedures has evolved into an essential component. The availability of this form of evidence provides useful insights into a variety of facets of a case, which may be utilized in the process of decision-making. Emails, text messages, social media postings, and digital documents are all examples of the types of digital data that are referred to as "electronic evidence."

The term "electronic evidence" is used to describe a broad variety of digital data examples. The verdict that is obtained in a judicial procedure can be strongly influenced by the sort of evidence that is presented here. Both the Indian Evidence Act of 1872 and the Information Technology Act of 2000 control the admission of electronic evidence in Indian courts. Both of these acts have particular rules and regulations that govern the acceptance of electronic evidence.

The year 2000 saw the passage of both of these pieces of legislation. On the other hand, the terms of these rules and regulations are what determine whether or not electronic evidence may be admitted into evidence. With the intention of providing a full examination of the admissibility of electronic evidence in Indian courts, the goal of this article is to give such review. It will investigate the many types of evidence, the relevance of those evidences, the difficulties that they provide, and the precedent-setting case laws that have been established.

The term "electronic evidence" encompasses a wide variety of digital data types, each consisting of their own unique characteristics.

Within the scope of this category are included the following categories of digital data:

• Document attachments that are sent along with electronic mail
• The use of instant messaging and text messaging applications at the same time
• Details of postings and conversations that have taken place on a variety of social media platforms
• Photos and videos captured with a digital camera utilizing the camera
• Documents and information that are stored on a computer system

The storage of this evidence can be accomplished through the utilization of a wide range of technological equipment. Servers, desktop computers, laptops, mobile phones, and tablets are all examples of mobile devices that fall under this category. When it comes to the admissibility of electronic evidence in court, there are three aspects that must be considered: the relevance of the evidence, the validity of the evidence, and the dependability of the evidence.

In accordance with the Indian Evidence Act, to what extent does it allow for the admission of evidence that is given in an electronic format?
In order for electronic evidence to be recognized in Indian courts, it must first satisfy the conditions that are mentioned in the paragraphs that follow:

In order for the electronic evidence to be regarded substantial, it is required for it to be pertinent to the current situation and necessary for it to have a logical relationship to the facts that are being investigated.
In order to establish that the electronic evidence is genuine, it is the obligation of the side that is giving it. It is possible to do this by establishing that the evidence is a replica of the data that was first acquired, which can be validated, and that the data is accurate. Establishing the chain of custody and showing that the evidence has not been tampered with or corrupted in any manner are two conceivable acts that might be conducted in this regard. Both of these actions are viable.

The electronic evidence must be in conformity with the provisions of the Indian Evidence Act as well as any other laws that may be relevant in order for it to be admitted in a way that is acceptable. This is necessary in order for the evidence to be admissible. A check must be made to ensure that the evidence in question is not hearsay and that it satisfies the criteria for admissibility that are outlined in the Act. The explanation that was given before is the reason behind this.

There are a variety of concerns that are associated with the incorporation of electronic evidence, including the following:
Despite the fact that it is of major significance, the admission of electronic evidence in Indian courts is plagued with a variety of challenges, including the following:

Establishing the authenticity and integrity of electronic evidence may be a tough procedure in the subject of authentication, particularly when dealing with content that has been digitally altered or updated. This is especially true when dealing with sensitive information. This is especially important to keep in mind when working with content that has verification requirements. In addition, in order to guarantee that the evidence is reliable, the courts typically demand that additional verification procedures be carried out using supplementary verification procedures.

There is a possibility that electronic communications, such as emails and text messages, might be regarded as hearsay. In order for these communications to be approved for use in court, more verification might be necessary. In accordance with the theory of hearsay, this is the case. In order for the parties to satisfy the requirement of proving that the evidence is not based on hearsay, it is anticipated of them that they will demonstrate that the evidence is a firsthand account of the events that are in dispute.

Concerns Regarding Non-Disclosure of Information: The accumulation and utilization of electronic evidence has the potential to give rise to problems regarding privacy. This is because of the nature of the evidence. This is especially true with regard to the information that is gathered via private telephone calls and accounts on social media platforms. When it comes to the requirement of gathering evidence that is relevant, it is vital for the legal system to establish a middle ground that allows for the preservation of the private rights of the persons who are involved.

With regard to the legal system, the following are some examples of electronic evidence:
A number of notable cases have had an effect on the admission of electronic evidence in Indian courts. Some of these cases include the following occurrences:

The Supreme Court of India ruled in the case of State vs. Navjot Sandhu (2005) that electronic records, such as emails and digital documents, can be used as evidence provided that they are examined in the appropriate manner and if they fit the standards of the Indian Evidence Act. This decision was made in the context of the case. It was within the context of the case that this decision was reached.

In the case of Anvar P.V. vs. P.K. Basheer (2014), the Supreme Court of the United States issued standards for the admission of electronic evidence. These guidelines were created in 2014. Throughout the entirety of these guidelines, the importance of ensuring the authenticity and integrity of digital material was emphasized. The ruling of the court requires that electronic evidence be reviewed in line with the judgment, which says that proof must be produced that validates the legitimacy of the contents and the reliability of the source. Either way, the evidence must be checked.

The conclusion is that electronic evidence is an essential component of the contemporary court procedures that are now in existence. As a consequence of this, it provides crucial insights and information that has the potential to greatly influence the ultimate conclusion of a case. The ability of legal professionals to present and defend their cases in court in an appropriate manner, thereby ensuring that the judicial process is both just and fair, is contingent upon their having a comprehensive understanding of the numerous types of electronic evidence, as well as its relevance and the challenges that come along with it.

It is very important for the courts to adapt and adopt new rules and procedures for the admission of electronic evidence in order to guarantee the honesty and credibility of the judicial process. This is something that the courts must undertake. This is as a result of the fact that technological developments are continuing to take place at a rapid pace.