Delhi Police directs officers to appear physically in trial courts

New Delhi, Sep 8: The Delhi Police on Monday issued a circular directing all its officers and personnel to appear in person before trial courts for depositions and evidence in criminal cases.

The order, approved by the Commissioner of Police, modifies earlier instructions that had allowed police personnel to depose through video conferencing from police stations.

The earlier notification, issued on August 13, had designated all police stations in the capital as video conferencing facilities for recording evidence. This move sparked protests from lawyers, who went on strike between August 22 and August 28, demanding the withdrawal of the order. The strike was called off after the notification was suspended, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah agreed to meet the lawyers. Despite this, a fresh notification on September 4 again allowed formal police witnesses to appear via video conferencing, subject to judicial approval if the defence sought physical presence. Monday’s circular now makes it mandatory for police personnel to attend court physically.