Section 540AChapter XLVI

Provision for inquiries and trial being held in the absence of accused in certain cases

MISCELLANEOUS

(1) At any stage of an inquiry or trial under this Code, 567[***] if the Judge or Magistrate is satisfied, for reasons to be recorded, that any one or more of 568[the] accused is or are incapable of remaining before the Court, he may, if such accused is represented by 569[an advocate], dispense with his attendance and proceed with such inquiry or trial in his absence, and may, at any subsequent stage of the proceedings, direct the personal attendance of such accused.

(2)

If the accused in any such case is not represented by 570[an advocate], or if the Judge or Magistrate considers his personal attendance necessary, he may, if he thinks fit, and for reasons to be recorded by him, either adjourn such inquiry or trial, or order that the case of such accused be taken up or tried separately. 571[(3) At the stage of investigation under this Code, the Judge or Magistrate may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, dispense with the personal attendance of an accused person who is on bail and represented by an advocate, until the date fixed for hearing of the investigation report.]