Hardeep Singh vs State Of Punjab & Ors

The Supreme Court addressed the conflicting interpretations of Section 319 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, regarding the power of courts to add accused during inquiry or trial. The Court clarified that the power can be exercised at any stage of the trial, and it is not necessary for the cross-examination of witnesses to be complete before such an application can be made. The judgment emphasized the need for a balanced approach to ensure justice while maintaining the integrity of the trial process, ultimately affirming the broader interpretation of the provision.