174. Commencement of Trial. (1) When a High Court is ready to commence the trial the accused shall appear or be brought before it and the charge shall be read out in Court and explained to him and he shall be asked whether he is guilty of the offence or offences charged. (2) If the accused pleads guilty the plea shall be recorded and he may in the discretion of the Court be convicted thereon; provided that if the offence charged is punishable with death the presiding Magistrate shall enter a plea of not guilty on behalf of the accused. NOTE:- See note to section 150, (2) 175. Plea of Not Guilty or no Plea. If the accused pleads not guilty or makes no plea or if the presiding Magistrate enters a plea of not guilty on behalf of the accused the Court shall proceed to try the case. 176. Opening Case for Prosecution. (1) The prosecutor (if any) shall open his case by reading from the Penal Code or other law the description of the offence charged and stating shortly by what evidence he expects to prove the guilt of the accused. (2) The prosecutor or if there is no prosecutor the Court shall then examine the witnesses for the prosecution who may be cross-examined by the accused or his pleader and thereafter examined by the prosecutor or the Court, as the case may be. 177. Examination of Accused at Inquiry to be read. After the witnesses for the prosecution have been heard the examination of the accused duly recorded by or before the committing Magistrate shall be produced and read out in Court. 178. Procedure After Conclusion of Evidence for Prosecution. (1) After the reading of the examination of the accused, the accused shall be examined as provided in section 218. After that he shall be asked whether he means to call witnesses other than to character. (2) If the accused says that he does not intend to call any witness other than to character, the prosecutor (if any) may sum up his case against the accused and the Court shall then call upon the accused to enter upon the defense. 60