12. Amendment of section 82.- In section 82 of the principal Act, after sub- section (3), the following sub- sections shall be inserted, namely:-

" (4) Where a proclamation published under sub- section (1) is in respect of a person accused of an offence punishable under section 302, 304, 364, 367, 382, 392, 393, 394, 395, 396, 397, 398, 399, 400, 402, 436, 449, 459 or 460 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860 ), and such person fails to appear at the specified place and time required by the proclamation, the Court may, after making such inquiry as it thinks fit, pronounce him a proclaimed offender and make a declaration to that effect.

(5) The provisions of sub- sections (2) and (3) shall apply to a declaration made by the Court under sub- section (4) as they apply to the proclamation published under sub- section (1).".