#trial fairness

Karnataka High Court quashed a trial court order rejecting recall of witnesses under Section 311 CrPC, ruling that technical glitches during video conferencing deprived the accused of effective cross-examination. The court remanded the matter for fresh consideration with costs, reinforcing that fair trial rights prevail over procedural formalities.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that deferral of cross-examination under Section 231(2) CrPC cannot be granted as a matter of routine and must be supported by specific reasons and a timely application. The court emphasized that premature disclosure of defence strategy could prejudice the accused, reinforcing the need for procedural safeguards in criminal trials.