Arraignment of accused person

(1) The accused person shall be brought to the bar and the indictment shall be read out to him after which he shall be asked by the Registrar whether he has any objection to make to the form or substance of the indictment. (2) If an objection is then made to the indictment the court shall determine whether any amendment is proper and can be made and shall make all proper amendments or adjourn the case for a new date or order an amended indictment to be prepared. (3) No objection to the form of the indictment shall be entertained by the court, unless it has been made as above directed before the jury is sworn. (4) When no objection is made to the indictment, or when the indictment has been amended, the accused shall be asked whether he pleads “guilty” or “not guilty” or any of the special pleas hereinafter mentioned. 69 (5) Subject to sub-section (6), if the accused person pleads “guilty”, the plea shall be recorded on the indictment, and the court may proceed to pass sentence. (6) When the charge so pleaded to is murder, the court may in its discretion refuse to receive the plea, and shall cause the trial to proceed in like manner as if the accused person had pleaded “not (7) If the accused person pleads “guilty” to the principal charge but denies any previous conviction alleged therein, a jury shall be empanelled, and the trial shall proceed so far as is necessary for verifying the previous conviction. (8) If the accused person pleads “not guilty” a jury shall be empanelled and the trial shall proceed. (9) If the accused person, when called upon to plead, stands mute, or will not answer directly to the indictment, the court may order a plea of “not guilty” to be entered on behalf of such person, and the plea so entered shall have the same force and effect as if such accused person had actually pleaded the same.