As is evident from plain reading of Section 143A (1)(a), it is only where the accused
“pleads not guilty” of the accusation made in the complaint that interim compensation
under Section 143A (1) can be granted. In the present case, the Magistrate did not issue
the order after the plea of the accused was entered, but before that i.e. after he answered
the summons. The parties counsels were present at an intermediate stage of proceedings,
but before the plea of “not gulity” was entered.
