law: Code of Criminal Procedure Act, 1973
  299.Record of evidence in absence of accused.-
  (1) If it is proved that an accused person has
  
  absconded, and that there is no immediate prospect of arresting him, the Court
  
  competent to try such person for the offence complained of may, in his absence,
  
  examine the witnesses (if any) produced on behalf of the prosecution, and
  
  record their depositions and any such deposition may, on the arrest of such
  
  person, be given in evidence against him on the inquiry into, or trial for, the
  
  offence with which he is charged, if the deponent is dead or incapable of
  
  giving evidence or cannot be found or his presence cannot be procured without
  
  an amount of delay, expense or inconvenience which, under the circumstances of
  
  the case, would be unreasonable.
  (2) If it appears that an offence punishable with death or imprisonment for
  
  life has been committed by some person or persons unknown, the High Court or
  
  the Sessions Judge may direct that any Magistrate of the first class shall hold
  
  an inquiry and examine any witnesses who can give evidence concerning the offence
  
  and any depositions so taken may be given in evidence against any person who is
  
  subsequently accused of the offence, if the deponent is dead or incapable of
  
  giving evidence or beyond the limits of India.