(1.) The point which has been referred to this Court for determination by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Chittoor, is:
(2.) On the question whether the prosecution can examine witnesses after the charges have been framed against the accused when as a matter of fact there was no representation by the complainant that he does not want to examine further prosecution witnesses, it has to be answered with reference to the provisions of sub - section (1) of Sec. 256, Criminal Procedure Code, and it may therefore be read:
(3.) But the immediate step preceding the question that has to be put to the accused is whether he wishes to cross-examine any witnesses as contained is Sec. 254, Criminal Procedure Code which states thus: