Section 16. Special rule of procedure.

(1) When any accused, in a trial before a Special Judge, has by his voluntary act rendered himself incapable of appearing before the Court, or resists his production before it or behaves before it in a persistently disorderly manner, the Court may, at any stage of the trial, by order in writing, made after such enquiry as it may think fit, dispense with the attendance of such accused for such period as it may think fit and proceed with the trial in his absence. (2) Where a plea is required in answer to a charge from an accused whose attendance has been dispensed with under sub-section (1) such accused shall be deemed not to plead guilty. (3) An order under sub-section (1) dispensing with the attendance of an accused shall not affect his right of being represented by a legal practitioner at any stage of the trial, or being present in person if he has become capable of appearing, or appears in Court and undertakes to behave in an orderly manner. (4) Notwithstanding anything contained in the 1[Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974)], no finding, sentence or order passed in a trial before a Special Judge shall be held to be illegal by reason of any omission or irregularity whatsoever arising from the absence of any or all of the accused whose attendance has been dispensed with under sub-section (1).