Section 351. Power to examine accused
(1)
In every inquiry or trial, for the purpose of enabling the accused
personally to explain any circumstances appearing in the evidence against him, the Court—
personally to explain any circumstances appearing in the evidence against him, the Court—
(a)may at any stage, without previously warning the accused put such questions to him as the
Court considers necessary;
(b)shall, after the witnesses for the prosecution have been examined and before he is called on
for his defence, question him generally on the case:
Provisoin a summons case, where the Court has dispensed with the personal attendance of
the accused, it may also dispense with his examination under clause (b).
(2)
No oath shall be administered to the accused when he is examined under sub-section (1).
(3)
The accused shall not render himself liable to punishment by refusing to answer such questions, or
by giving false answers to them.
by giving false answers to them.
(4)
The answers given by the accused may be taken into consideration in such inquiry or trial, and put
in evidence for or against him in any other inquiry into, or trial for, any other offence which such answers
may tend to show he has committed.
in evidence for or against him in any other inquiry into, or trial for, any other offence which such answers
may tend to show he has committed.
(5)
The Court may take help of Prosecutor and Defence Counsel in preparing relevant questions which
are to be put to the accused and the Court may permit filing of written statement by the accused as sufficient
compliance of this section.
are to be put to the accused and the Court may permit filing of written statement by the accused as sufficient
compliance of this section.