Section 176

If the accused refuses to plead or does not plead or claims to be tried, the Court shall proceed to hear the complainant (if any) and to take

B. L. R.O. 10/2021

116

Criminal Procedure Code all such evidence as may be produced in support of the prosecution and such further evidence (if any) as it may, of its own motion, cause to be produced.

When the Court thinks it necessary, it shall obtain from the complainant or otherwise the names of any persons likely to be acquainted with the facts of the case and to be able to give evidence for the prosecution, and shall summon to give evidence before itself such of them as it thinks necessary.

The accused shall be allowed to cross-examine the complainant and all the witnesses for the prosecution, and the complainant or officer or other person conducting the prosecution may, if necessary, re-examine them.

The Court may on behalf of the accused or prosecution or of its own motion put such questions to the witnesses as it considers necessary.