Section 36(1) in Criminal Rules of Practice and Circular Orders, 1990
(1)Sessions Judges and Magistrates shall inform every accused person who appears before them and who is not represented by an Advocate on account of his poverty and indigence, that he is entitled of free legal service at the cost of the State, unless he is not willing to take advantage of it. It is not necessary that the accused should apply for legal aid. If the Court is satisfied that the accused has no sufficient means to engage an Advocate, it shall assign an Advocate for his defence at the expense of the State.
