Parliament Passes Key Bills on Tribunals and Banking Evidence

The Rajya Sabha has passed the Tribunals Reforms Bill and the Bankers' Books Evidence Bill 2026 during a productive but contentious session. The Tribunals Reforms Bill aims to streamline the functioning of various judicial bodies to improve transparency and case disposal rates. However, the passage of these bills occurred amid a walkout by Opposition members who raised concerns over the speed of the legislative process. Union Home Minister Amit Shah was present in the house as the government pushed through its legislative agenda.

The Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill 2026 updates legal frameworks to better recognize digital records and modern banking practices as valid evidence in court. This move is designed to simplify litigation for financial institutions and speed up recovery processes. Simultaneously, the Tribunals Reforms Bill addresses the proliferation of specialized tribunals, merging several bodies to reduce administrative overhead. The government maintains these reforms are essential for improving the ease of doing business and reducing the burden on the traditional court system.

The session was marked by significant friction as Opposition parties staged protests inside and outside the chamber. While the government focused on bill passage, Opposition members highlighted issues ranging from student protests to administrative transparency. The walkout underscores the deep divide in the House during the current Monsoon Session. Despite the resistance, the government successfully cleared the bills, which will now move towards presidential assent to become law.