Written request requirement under Section 315 CrPC governs an accused's defence testimony; refusal to accept examination-in-chief was upheld.

Section 315 CrPC makes an accused competent to testify for the defence only on his own written request. Where the application sought direct acceptance of the accused's examination-in-chief without first making that written request, the statutory precondition was not met. The cited facts were distinguishable because a written request existed there. On that basis, the trial court and revisional court were held correct in declining to accept the examination-in-chief, and the challenge failed.

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Issues: Whether the refusal to accept the accused's examination-in-chief was justified when no written request was made under Section 315 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

Analysis: Section 315 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 makes an accused a competent witness for the defence, but only on his own request in writing. The petitioner's application sought acceptance of examination-in-chief directly, without first making the written request contemplated by the provision. The facts relied on by the petitioner were distinguishable because, in that matter, a written request had been made. In the absence of compliance with the statutory requirement, the trial court and the revisional court committed no error in declining to accept the examination-in-chief.

Conclusion: The refusal to accept the accused's examination-in-chief was upheld and the challenge failed.

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