The provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure , 1973 (2 of 1974) shall in their application to any proceeding in relation to an offence punishable under this Act have effect as if.—
(a) in sub-section (1) Section 243, for the words “The accused shall then be called upon”, the words “The accused shall then be required to give in writing at once or within such time as the Court may allow, a list of persons(if any) whom he proposes to examine as his witnesses and of the documents (if any) on which he proposes to rely and he shall then be called upon” had been substituted;
(b) in sub-section (2)of Section 309, after the third proviso the following proviso had been inserted, namely:-
“Provided also that the proceeding shall not be adjourned or postponed merely on the ground that an application under Section 397 has been made by a party to the proceeding.”
(c) after sub-section (2) of Section 317, the following sub-section had been inserted , namely.-
“(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), the Judge may if he thinks fit and for reasons to be recorded by him, proceed with inquiry or trial in the absence of the accused or his pleader and record the evidence of any witness subject to the right of the accused to recall the witness for cross-examination.”
(d) in sub-section (1) of Section 397, before the Explanation, the following proviso had been inserted, namely.—
“Provided that where the powers under this section are exercised by a Court on an application made by a party to such proceedings, the Court shall not ordinarily call for the record of the proceedings.—
(a) without giving the other party an opportunity of showing cause why the record should not be called for; or
(b) if it is satisfied that an examination of the record of the proceedings may be made from the certified copies.