Execution of commissions

On receipt of a commission, the Chief Judicial Magistrate or a Magistrate he appoints must either summon the witness or go to where the witness is, and record the witness's evidence in the same manner as in trials of warrant-cases. For that purpose the Magistrate may exercise the same powers as in warrant-case trials, including summoning and examining witnesses. This lets evidence be taken outside the original court with full judicial authority.

Priya lives in another town and is a witness in a theft case. After the court sends a commission, the Chief Judicial Magistrate summons Priya or goes to her town and records her testimony the same way as in a warrant-case, using the same powers to examine and compel attendance. Priya's evidence is officially recorded without her having to travel to the original court.