TRIAL OF OFFENCES.
Article 38.
- No person shall be tried on any criminal charge save in due course of law.
- Minor offences may be tried by courts of summary jurisdiction.
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- Special courts may be established by law for the trial of offences in
cases where it may be determined in accordance with such law that the
ordinary courts are inadequate to secure the effective the effective
administration of justice, and the preservation of public peace and
order.
- The constitution, powers, jurisdiction and procedure of such special
courts shall be prescribed by law.
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- Military tribunals may be established for the trial of offences against
military law alleged to have been committed by persons while subject to
military law and also to deal with a state of war or armed rebellion .
- A member of the Defence Forces not on active service shall not be tried
by any court martial or other military tribunal for an offence
cognisable by the civil courts unless such offence is within the
jurisdiction of any court martial or other military tribunal under any
law for the enforcement of military discipline.
- Save in the case of the trial of offences under section 2, section 3 or
section 4 of this Article no person shall be tried on any criminal charge
without a jury.
- The provisions of Articles 34 and
35 of this Constitution shall not apply
to any court or tribunal set up under section 3 or section 4 of this Article.
Article 39.
Treason shall consist only in levying war against the State, or assisting
any State or person or inciting or conspiring with any person to levy war
against the State, or attempting by force of arms or other violent means to
overthrow the organs of government established by this Constitution, or taking
part or being concerned in or inciting or conspiring with any person to make or
to take part or be concerned in any such attempt.