Gujarat High Court Criminal Manual (subordinate court practice), 1977
In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of Section 304 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), the High Court of Gujarat, hereby makes, with the previous approval of the Government of Gujarat, the following rules, namely:— 1. (1) These rules may be called the Gujarat Legal Aid to Accused at State Expense Rules, 1976. (2) They shall come into force from the date of their publication in the Gujarat Government Gazette. 2. Definition.—"Court" means a Court of Session whether presided over by a Sessions Judge, Additional Sessions Judge or Assistant Sessions Judge. 3. Authority to decide sufficient means of accused to engage pleader.— (i) The Court before which the accused stands his trial shall where the accused is not represented by a pleader, ascertain whether such accused has or has not sufficient means to engage a pleader for his defence at his costs.