This is a reference from the learned Sessions Judge of Chittoor. In four appeals the Joint Magistrate of Chandragiri has ordered a retrial of the appellant because certain witnesses at the original trial gave evidence in English and their evidence was not translated to the appellant as required by Sect. 361, Criminal Procedure Code.
The Sub-Divisional Magistrate in my opinion was right in holding that the Code lays down that such translation should be made; and with all respect I do not agree with the ruling in Hari Narayan Chandra v. Emperor that the first two paragraphs of Sect. 361 are mutually exclusive. An accused person is often in a much better position than his pleader to follow the drift of the evidence and it is obvious that he ought to be kept informed of what is being said. But the Sub-Divisional Magistrate misdirects himself when he observes that the irregularity cannot be cured under Sect. 537, Criminal Procedure Code. No doubt after Subrahmania Ayyar v. King-Emperor an idea prevailed that Sect. 537, Criminal Procedure Code, did not apply to the mandatory provisions of the Code, although there is nothing in the section itself to give it such a restricted scope. But the ruling in Abdul Rahman v. The King-Emperor has dispelled that idea, and Sect. 537 may be taken to cover any irregularity in the widest sense of that term, provided there has been no failure of justice. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate ought not to have ordered retrial in these cases without satisfying himself whether or no failure of justice had been occasioned.
With these observations his order in all four eases is set aside, and he is directed to rehear the appeals.
N. R. R.Order set aside.