AJMER SINGH vs THE STATE OF PUNJAB.

The Supreme Court held that under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the duty of the Sessions Judge to examine the accused is not fulfilled merely by reading questions from the Magistrate’s Court; the accused must be questioned about each material circumstance against him. The Court emphasized that an acquittal reinforces the presumption of innocence, and a reversal of such an order requires substantial reasons. The judgment also clarified that errors in compliance with Section 342 do not automatically vitiate a trial unless they cause prejudice to the accused.