Section 251A in The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1989 (1933 A. D.)
251A. [ Procedure to be adopted in cases instituted on police report. [Section 251A inserted by Act XLII of 1956.]
(1)when, in any case instituted on a police report, the accused appears or is brought before a Magistrate at the commencement of a trial, such Magistrate shall satisfy himself that the documents referred to in section 173 have been furnished to the accused, and if he finds that the accused has not been furnished with such documents or any of them, he shall cause them to be so furnished.(2)If, upon consideration of all the documents referred to in section 173 and making such examination, if any of the accused as the Magistrate thinks necessary and after giving the prosecution and the accused' an opportunity of being heard, the Magistrate considers the charge against the accused to be groundless, he shall discharge him.(3)If, upon such documents being considered,, such examination, if any being made and the prosecution and the accused being given an opportunity of being heard, 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.(4)The charge shall then be read and explained to the accused and he shall be asked whether he is guilty or claims to be tried.(5)If the accused pleads guilty, the Magistrate shall record the plea and may, in his discretion, convict him thereon.(6)If the accused refuses to plead, or does not plead, or claims to be tried, the Magistrate shall fix a date for the examination of witnesses.(7)On the date so fixed, the Magistrate shall proceed to take all such evidence as may be produced [in support of the prosecution except such evidence which the accused may admit in an application made in this behalf]:Provided that the Magistrate may permit the cross-examination of any witness to be deferred until any other witness or witnesses have been examined, or recall any witness for further cross-examination.(8)The accused shall then be called upon to enter upon his defence and produce his evidence ; and if the accused puts in any written statement, the Magistrate shall file with the record.(9)If the accused, after he has entered upon his defence, applies to the Magistrate to issue any process for compelling the attendance of any witness for the purpose of examination or cross-examination, or the production of any document or other thing, the Magistrate shall issue such process unless he considers that such application should be refused on the ground that it is made for the purpose of vexation or delay or for defeating the ends of justice. Such ground shall be recorded by him in writing :Provided that when the accused as cross-examined or had the opportunity of cross-examining any witness after the charge is framed, the attendance of such witness shall not be compelled under this section unless the Magistrate is satisfied that it is necessary for the purposes of justice.(10)The Magistrate may, before summoning any witness on such application under sub-section (9), require that his reasonable expenses incurred in attending for the purpose of the trial be deposited in Court.(11)If, in any case under this section in which a charge has been framed, the Magistrate finds the accused not guilty, he shall record an order of acquittal.(12)Where in any case under this section, the Magistrate does not proceed in accordance with the provisions of section 349 or section 562 he shall, if he finds the accused guilty, pass sentence upon him according to law.(13)In a case where a previous conviction is charged under the provisions of section 221, sub-section (7), and the accused does not admit that he has been previously convicted as alleged in the charge, the Magistrate may, after he has convicted the said accused under sub-section (5) or sub-section (12), take evidence in respect of the alleged previous conviction and shall record a finding thereon.]
