After Lawyers' Protests, Delhi LG's Notification On Police Officers' Evidence Put On Hold; Union Home Minister To Meet Bar Representatives

The Delhi Police has said that the August 13, 2025 notification of the Delhi Lieutenant Governor designating all police stations in Delhi as places for police personnel to present evidence and depose before courts through video conferencing will be implemented only after hearing all stakeholders.The statement issued by the Delhi Police added that the Union Home Minister would meet representatives of the Bar to discuss the issue.“In view of the above, to address and resolve the concerns, it has been decided that Union Home Minister would meet the representatives of the Bar to discuss the issue with open mind. In the meantime, the operation of the said notification on the ground would only be carried out after hearing all stakeholders”, the statement by the Delhi Police reads.The concerned notification issued by the Delhi LG , invoking Section 265(3) BNSS, states that the 226 police stations in the national capital are “designated” as places from where the police officials can depose before the Courts through video-conferencing mechanism and present their evidence.Second proviso to Section 265(3) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) allows witnesses to be examined by audio-video electronic means at a designated place notified by the State Government.The notification has faced strong opposition from the legal community. Last week, the Supreme Court Bar Association, the Delhi High Court Bar Association as well as the Coordination Committee of the Delhi District Court Bar Associations had issued resolutions condemning the Delhi LG's notification.The lawyers of the Delhi trial courts are holding public protests demanding the withdrawal of the notification.The bar bodies say that allowing police officers to testify from police stations will prejudice fair trial. They insist that evidence should be given only in the court.The Coordination Committee of All District Courts Bar Association of Delhi submitted representations to the Chief Minister on August 18 and to the Lieutenant Governor on August 20 against the notification. On August 21, the Coordination Committee of all district court bar associations resolved to go on strike, a protest that continued through August 27. The Delhi High Court Bar Association also asked lawyers to wear black ribbons in court until the notification is withdrawn.The Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association passed a resolution on August 27 condemning the notification, stating that it risks creating a perception of imbalance between investigative authorities and the judiciary. SCAORA noted that courts are open public forums, while police stations are restricted facilities, and testimonies from such controlled environments could raise concerns of undue influence or manipulation of evidence.The Delhi High Court listed a PIL against the notification for hearing on September 3, 2025. Another PIL filed by lawyer Kapil Madan contends that the notification affects the right to a fair trial under Article 21 by allowing prosecution witnesses to depose from within their official precincts.

After Lawyers' Protests, Delhi LG's Notification On Police Officers' Evidence Put On Hold; Union Home Minister To Meet Bar Representatives

Amisha Shrivastava

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