New Delhi, Dec. 16 -- The Supreme Court on Monday issued directions to all trial courts across the country for cataloguing witnesses, evidence and material objects to ensure systematic presentation of evidence and efficient appreciation of case records in a criminal trial.

A bench of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said, "To ensure a systematic presentation of evidence that enables efficient appreciation of the record, we issue the following directions to all trial courts across the country. These directions aim to institutionalize a standardized format for cataloguing witnesses, documentary evidence, and material objects."

The bench laid down the format while acquitting a man of the serious allegation of brutal sexual assault of...