Gujarat High Court Criminal Manual (subordinate court practice), 1977
Local inspection should be rarely undertaken by the Judge or Magistrate and particularly by appellate Courts. Whenever necessary, the prosecution should put in evidence lucid plans of such details and accuracy as to render the inspection unnecessary, and it is for the Judge or Magistrate to see that such duty is discharged by the prosecution and it does not seek to escape it by suggesting inspection. However, for understanding the evidence and when found necessary the Judge or Magistrate may personally visit the scene of offence or any other place either before or during the inquiry or trial, for the purpose of properly appreciating the evidence of the witnesses. When such inspection involves absence, from Court or from head quarters the Judicial Magistrate should inform the Sessions Judge and Metropolitan Magistrate should inform Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of the circumstances which render such inspection necessary. The Judicial Magistrate shall obtain previous sanction of the Sessions Judge and Metropolitan Magistrate and shall obtain permission of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate to his absence from head-quarters on any particular day. Such inspection should not be ordinarily undertaken during Court hours. The provisions of Section 310 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, should be strictly complied with. A memorandum of any relevant facts observed at such inspection should invariably be made without unnecessary delay and it should be shown to the advocates appearing in the case and should form part of the record of the case.