Code of Criminal Procedure Act, 1973
246.Procedure where accused is not discharged.-
(1) If, when such evidence has been taken, or
at any previous stage of the case, the Magistrate is of opinion that there is
ground for presuming that the accused has committed an offence triable under
this Chapter, which such Magistrate is competent to try and which, in his
opinion, could be adequately punished by him, he shall frame in writing a
charge against the accused.
(2) The charge shall then be read and
explained to the accused, and he shall be asked whether he pleads guilty or has
any defense to make.
(3) If the accused pleads guilty, the Magistrate shall record the plea, and
may, in his discretion, convict him thereon.
(4) If the accused refuses to plead, or does not plead or claims to be tried or
if the accused is not convicted under sub-section (3), he shall be required to
state, at the commencement of the next hearing of the case, or, if the
Magistrate for reasons to be recorded in writing so thinks fit, forthwith,
whether he wishes to cross-examine any, and, if so, which, of the witnesses for
the prosecution whose evidence has been taken.
(5) If he says he does so wish, the witnesses named by him shall be recalled
and, after cross-examination and re-examination (if any), they shall be
discharged.
(6) The evidence of any remaining witnesses for the prosecution shall next be
taken, and after cross-examination and re-examination (if any), they shall also
be discharged.