Previous conviction
Full Text
In a case where a previous conviction is charged under the provisions of sub-section (7) of section 234, and the accused does not admit that he has been previously convicted as alleged in the charge, the Judge may, after he has convicted the said accused under section 252 or section 258, take evidence in respect of the alleged previous conviction, and shall record a finding thereon:
Provided that no such charge shall be read out by the Judge nor shall the accused be asked to plead thereto nor shall the previous conviction be referred to by the prosecution or in any evidence adduced by it, unless and until the accused has been convicted under section 252 or section 258.
Plain English Summary
Ensures that evidence of a previous conviction is only considered after the accused has been found guilty in the current trial, to avoid prejudice.
Key Legal Elements
- Triggered if previous conviction is part of the charge
- Evidence of previous conviction is only taken AFTER conviction in the current case
- Previous conviction cannot be mentioned until guilt in current case is established
- Ensures current trial is not prejudiced by past record
- Judge records a finding on the previous conviction for sentencing purposes
Practical Note
This is a crucial "fair trial" protection. It ensures that a person's criminal history does not bias the Judge while deciding their guilt in the current trial. The history only matters for determining the severity of the sentence.
हिंदी पाठ
ऐसे मामले में जहाँ धारा 234 की उप-धारा (7) के प्रावधानों के तहत पूर्व दोषसिद्धि (previous conviction) का आरोप लगाया गया है, और अभियुक्त यह स्वीकार नहीं करता है कि उसे आरोप में लगाए गए अनुसार पहले दोषसिद्ध किया गया है, न्यायाधीश धारा 252 या धारा 258 के तहत उक्त अभियुक्त को दोषसिद्ध करने के बाद, कथित पूर्व दोषसिद्धि के संबंध में साक्ष्य ले सकता है, और उस पर एक निष्कर्ष दर्ज करेगा:
परंतु न्यायाधीश द्वारा ऐसा कोई आरोप पढ़कर नहीं सुनाया जाएगा और न ही अभियुक्त से उसका उत्तर देने के लिए कहा जाएगा और न ही अभियोजन पक्ष द्वारा या उसके द्वारा प्रस्तुत किसी साक्ष्य में पूर्व दोषसिद्धि का उल्लेख किया जाएगा, जब तक कि अभियुक्त को धारा 252 या धारा 258 के तहत दोषसिद्ध नहीं कर दिया जाता।