4 Ways To Get The Hash Value of Any File As Electronic Evidence for Submission In The Court

As per the new Evidence Law in India, the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 requires every piece of Electronic Evidence to be accompanied by a Hash Value Certificate in the prescribed format, which will authenticate the veracity of a particular electronic record or file which is submitted in the court.

Why is a Hash Value Certificate required?

The Hash Value is a unique alphanumeric code which shows the fingerprint of any electronic record or file. This means that if the file submitted to the court is manipulated or tampered with, it will become tamper-evident and the difference between the original record and the one kept with the court or concerned authority will be known.

Method 1: Use ChatGPT

Do not upload very sensitive or confidential information to third party websites as the information can be intercepted or misused.

Go to the Website https://chatgpt.com

2. Upload your evidence file and type in this instruction in the chat prompt and then hit Enter.

Generate the Hash Value of this file using the Hash Function MD5, SHA256 and SHA512.

3. You will get the Hash Value as the output from ChatGPT. This Hash Value can be used in the Evidence Certificate.

Method 2: Use a Windows command

Go to Start > Run > Type in cmd
When the black Command Prompt window opens, type in this command.

certutil -hashfile <file> MD5

Eg.: certutil -hashfile c:\Users\JDoe\Desktop\abc.exe MD5

certutil -hashfile <file> SHA256

Eg.: certutil -hashfile c:\Users\JDoe\Desktop\abc.exe SHA256

Method 3: Use an online service or website

Method 4: Use a Windows App or Software

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