Right of person against whom proceedings are instituted to be defended

A person accused in a criminal court or against whom proceedings are instituted under this Code has the right to be defended by a pleader of their choice. The right applies from the start of the proceedings. The accused cannot be denied representation by the pleader they select.

Priya is accused of stealing from a shop and proceedings begin in the criminal court. She hires Karan, a pleader she trusts. Under this rule she has the right to be defended by Karan and the court cannot stop that representation.