Will The Trial Be Vitiated If The Evidence Of Witnesses Were Taken In The Absence Of Accused? SC To Examine

Will the entire trial and conviction be vitiated for non-compliance of Section 273 IPC? Can de novo trial be ordered if it is found that during the trial several witnesses were examined in absentia of the accused ? The Supreme Court is considering this issue in Atma Ram vs. State of Rajasthan, and has stayed the pronouncement of judgment by the Trial Court after conducting de novo...