law: Code of Criminal Procedure Act, 1973
  
  236.Previous conviction.-
  In a case where a previous conviction is
  
  charged under the provisions of sub-section (7) of section 211, and the accused
  
  does not admit that he has been previously convicted as alleged in the charge,
  
  the Judge may, after he has convicted the said accused under section 229 or
  
  section 235, take evidence in respect of the alleged previous conviction, and
  
  shall record a finding thereon:
  
  Provided that no such charge shall be read out by the Judge nor shall
  
  the accused be asked to plead thereto nor shall the previous conviction be
  
  referred to by the prosecution or in any evidence adduced by it, unless and
  
  until the accused has been convicted under section 229 or section 235.