After lawyers’ strike, police put video deposition rule on hold

The Delhi Police on Thursday said it has put the video deposition law on hold following protests from the lawyers and a meeting with the Bar council representatives with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

A press communication from the Delhi Police PRO read, “The operation of the said notification on the ground would only be carried out after hearing all stakeholders.”

Notably, on August 13 Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena had approved the notification of all 226 police stations in the Capital as “designated places” for police officers to provide evidence via video conferencing.

“The move will allow police personnel handling various cases to avoid physically travelling to courts for depositions, thereby conserving substantial time and resources. On average, nearly 2,000 police officers in Delhi testify before courts each day,” the notification read.

Following the assurance, the coordination committee of the Lawyers in a press statement mentioned, “In view of the written positive response, the ongoing agitation, scheduled demonstration before the Lieutenant Governor’s House and call for abstinence of work in All District Courts of Delhi is being suspended till the final outcome of the discussions and deliberations with Amit Shah, Union Home Minister.”

“We express our deepest gratitude for the unity, cooperation and solidarity shown by the members of all the Bars, Bar Council of Delhi, Supreme Court Bar Association, Delhi High Court Bar Association, Supreme Court Advocate On Record Bar Association, and all other Bar Associations of other states and all other stakeholders,” it added.

Calling it a victory of the legal fraternity, Advocate Vishal Sharma said, “It is a historic victory of the legal fraternity as Home Minister Shah has called a meeting with our Bar leaders to resolve the issue. The strike has been suspended and Delhi District courts to resume functioning from tomorrow.”