Section 50

Upon the receipt of such order, the Magistrate shall take the evidence of every witness appearing before him for the purpose referred to in subsection (1) in like manner as if such witness appeared on a preliminary enquiry into the case of a person accused of an offence triable by the High Court and shall certify at the foot of the depositions so taken that such evidence was taken before him and shall transmit the same to the Minister.

The evidence referred to in subsection (1) may be taken in the presence or absence of the accused person, if any, and the fact of such presence or absence shall be stated in such depositions.

This section shall not apply in the case of any criminal matter of a political character.

Witnesses to attend and give evidence, etc.