JUDGMENT

M.K. Mukherjee, J. -The principal question that is required to be answered in these appeals is when and under what circumstances a Court can invoke the provisions of Section 73 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 ('Code', for short). The question arises in this way.

2. on March 12, 1993 a series of bomb explosions took place in and around the city of Bombay which resulted in the death of 257 persons, injuries to 713 persons and damage to properties worth Rs. 27 crores (approximately). Over the explosions 27 criminal cases were registered and on completion of investigation a composite charge-sheet was forwarded to the Designated Court, Greater Bombay on November 4, 1993 against 198 accused persons, showing 45 of them absconders, for commission of various 'offences punishable under the Indian Penal Code the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (prevention) Act, 1987 (TADA for short), Arms Act 1959 Explosives Substances Act, 1908 and other Acts. On that charge sheet the Designated Court took cognizance and the case registered thereon was numbered as B.B.C. (Bomb Blast Case) No.1 of 1993.

3. A few days thereafter - on November 11, 1993 to be precise - the Government of Indi