CrPC § 512 — Record of evidence in absence of accused

Statutory text (English)

(1) If it is proved that an accused person has
absconded, and that there is no immediate prospect of arresting him, the Court competent to try or
[send for
trial to the Court of Session or High Court] such person for the offence complained of may, in his absence,
examine the witnesses (if any) produced on behalf of the prosecution, and record their depositions. Any
such deposition may, on the arrest of such person, be given in evidence against him on the inquiry into, or
trial for, the offence with which he is charged, if the deponent is dead or incapable of giving evidence or his
attendance cannot be procured without an amount of delay, expanse or inconvenience which, under the
circumstances of the case, would be unreasonable.

(2) Record of evidence when offender unknown. If it appears that an offence punishable with death or
[imprisonment for life] has been committed by some person or persons unknown, the High Court may direct
that any Magistrate of the first class shall hold an inquiry and examine any witnesses who can give evidence
concerning the offence. Any depositions so taken may be given in evidence against any person who is
subsequently accused of the offence, if the deponent is dead or incapable of giving evidence or beyond the
limits of
[Pakistan].

Source and verification

Source citation: CrPC (Act V of 1898) s.512: Pakistan Code portal consolidated official PDF 'THE CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE' (Act No. V of 1898, last amended 2017-02-16), p. 179, 180, ingested 2026-09-15. Automated transcription from official source (pypdf extraction, audited artifact repair); human admin re-check required before production.

Verification status: verified · Text status: auto_transcribed_verified_source

The record cites an official source, but its transcription is automated or only partly checked; a human re-check is pending.

Official Urdu text status: pending_official_urdu_text. Where official Urdu wording has not been sourced, Qanoon does not substitute an unverified translation for the statutory text.

Historical text notes

1 historical record is linked to this section. Historical wording may be incomplete or pending verification; it is not presented as current law.

• Date not confirmed: Consolidated current text as published in the official Pakistan Code PDF (p. 179, 180) — reflects all amendments recorded in the official footnotes up to ingest date 2026-09-15. Automated transcription; per-amendment…

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