In Brief
Sukhpal Singh Khaira and others appealed against orders summoning them as additional accused under Section 319 of the Code of Criminal Procedure after the trial and conviction of other co-accused had already concluded. The Supreme Court found substantial unresolved questions about whether courts can summon additional accused after judgment is rendered, and when bifurcated trials for absconding accused remain pending. The Court noted the tension between the prior Constitution Bench decision in Hardeep Singh and the unique facts here, and referred the matter to a larger bench to clarify the scope and guidelines for exercising Section 319 powers in these circumstances.
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