Nikulas and others v. Linus – 1978_79 volume 2 page 063

In the case between Nikulas and others (appellants) and Linus (respondent), the court addressed the issue of whether section 186(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code, which requires the verdict to be recorded within 24 hours after the conclusion of evidence, is strictly mandatory, particularly in situations where defense counsel addresses the court after the close of evidence. It was held that this statutory time limit is a mandatory requirement and does not conflict with the right of counsel to summarize the case after the conclusion of evidence. The principle reaffirmed is that statutory requirements regarding criminal procedure must be meticulously followed. The findings established that, despite a delay caused by extended addresses by counsel and procedural irregularities, the accused wer