Earlier this month, Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, V. K. Saxena, issued a notification authorizing police officials to present evidence and depose before courts via videoconferencing from their respective police stations. The move, aimed at streamlining police appearances in court, immediately drew backlash from the city’s legal community. Lawyers argued that the directive undermined courtroom transparency, potentially eroded accountability, and had been introduced without consulting the Bar.
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The order designated all police stations in the capital as official venues for remote testimony, a sweeping change to courtroom procedure that lawyers said would dilute the principle of open justice.
Protests Across the Capital
In response, members of the Bar Association staged demonstrations outside courts, abstained from work for nearly a week, and threatened to escalate their agitation. A march was planned from Tis Hazari court complex to the Lieutenant Governor’s house, underscoring the depth of opposition within the legal fraternity.
The co-ordination committee of All District Courts Bar Association of Delhi sent formal representations on August 18 to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and on August 20 to L-G Saxena, insisting the order be revoked. During this period, courts faced significant disruption as lawyers boycotted proceedings.
Delhi Police Steps Back
On Thursday, the Delhi Police announced it would place a hold on implementing the directive until the Union Home Ministry convened discussions with all stakeholders. In a statement, the office of the Commissioner of Police said: “It has been decided that the Union Home Minister would meet representatives of the Bar to discuss the issue with an open mind. In the meantime, the operation of the said notification on the ground would only be carried out after hearing all stakeholders.”
The pause, officials suggested, was a temporary measure to defuse tension and allow for broader consultation before any systemic change to courtroom procedure is made.
Lawyers Call Off Strike
The announcement was enough to persuade lawyers to end their strike. By Thursday evening, Bar associations confirmed that work would resume, pending the outcome of talks with the Union Home Ministry.
The confrontation highlights the delicate balance between technological reform and the traditions of India’s judicial process. While authorities argue that virtual appearances would ease police workloads and improve efficiency, lawyers maintain that such a shift should not bypass debate within the legal system. For now, the city’s courts return to normal, but the larger conversation over modernization, transparency, and due process remains unresolved.