Section 177

If upon taking all the evidence referred to in section 176 and making such examination (if any) of the accused under section 220 as the

Court considers necessary, it finds that no case against the accused has been made out which, if unrebutted, would warrant his conviction, the Court may, subject to the provisions of section 186, record an order of acquittal.

Nothing in subsection (1) is deemed to prevent the Court from discharging the accused at any previous stage of the case if, for reasons to be recorded by the Court, it considers that the charge is groundless.