Section 161A:

161A. Persons may be excluded from proceedings Any Judge, Magistrate or other person having by law authority to hear, receive or examine evidence may, where he considers it necessary or expedient— (a) in circumstances where publicity would prejudice the interests of justice or of public morality; (b) in order to safeguard the welfare of persons under the age of 18; (c) in order to protect the privacy of persons concerned in the proceedings; (d) in the interests of defence, public safety or public order, exclude from the proceedings (except the announcement of the decision) any person other than the parties to the trial and their legal representatives.