(1) When hearing a civil suit or a revenue proceeding, the Gram Panchayat shall first examine the plaintiff or applicant and his 25 witnesses and thereafter the defendant or objector and his witnesses, as the case may be, while trying a criminal case it shall first explain to the accused the charge or charges made against him and shall thereafter record prosecution evidence and thereafter examine the accused and his defence :
Provided that if in a criminal case an accused makes a clear and voluntary confession of the crime, he may be convicted without recording any evidence and in civil suits or revenue proceedings if the claim of the plaintiff or the applicant is totally admitted by the other party, it will not be necessary for the Gram Panchayat to record any evidence.
(2) Each party shall be allowed to cross examine another party and their witnesses just after their examination-in-Chief but the Gram Panchayat may, either of its own motion or on the request of any party, examine any person at any stage of the proceedings before passing final orders and in such case party shall be entitled to put question to the person so examined.
(3) Before examining any person, except an accused, a Gram Panchayat shall administer him the following oath or affirmation:- “I shall state the truth and nothing but truth so help me God” OR “I solemnly affirm that I shall state the truth and nothing but the truth.”.