It has been a few days since Advocates in Delhi are on strike. They have been claiming that it is a fight for justice. Representations before the residence of Lieutenant Governor of Delhi are making news headlines. But what is it all about? The matter sprouts from Police Stations which are now declared designated places for recording evidence of Police officials. Sounds efficient and time saving….Right!! Absolutely Not! Advocates on strike claim that the circular attacks fair trial and openly challenges the Criminal Justice System. Here is an attempt to explain how LG Notification Delhi controversy came into existence and how it became a “threat” to justice.
LG Notification Controversy
On August 13, 2025, the Office of Lieutenant Governor of Delhi issued a circular declaring Video Conferencing Rooms in all Police Stations as “Designated Place” for deposition of Police Personnel/Officers through Video Conferencing. The Delhi LG notification allows Police to depose before the Courts online. In other words, Delhi Police personnel and Officers need not visit the Courts for evidence, examination or cross-examination. They can use Video Conferencing Rooms in Police Stations to depose before the Courts. Police deposition is required in almost all the criminal cases, to ensure their role in an investigation.
How LG Notification Impacts Fair Trial?
With Police Stations being declared “Designated Place” for Video Conferencing and deposition by Police Personnel, there is scope for tutoring, coercion, statements by reading notes, etc. A genuine deposition, examination or cross-examination will be a challenge. This in turn will affect fair trials in criminal cases. That’s the concern purported by Advocates on Strike in Delhi.
Advocates Strike in Delhi
The LG Notification Delhi dated August 13 has ignited a big controversy. Lawyers across the National Capital are on strike. The reason? Because The Delhi LG circular allows Police personnel to stay at Police Stations and not be present in the Court Rooms for the purpose of evidence. It’s more of a virtual setup, which means at times the internet will not be working, the cameras will be dysfunctional, and at times the audio will be problematic.
Several Bar bodies have expressed their concern over this “arbitrary” and “unlawful” move and seek immediate withdrawal of the LG notification in question. Lawyers on strike in Delhi claim that the liberty to do Video Conferencing from Police Stations leaves open the scope for tutoring, document reading, etc. In a Courtroom, when an Advocate examines or cross-examines the Police Officer during a trial in the presence of the Judge, the said Police Officer has to depose before the Court based on their memory. Nobody else can tell them what they should be saying at the time when statements are being taken on record, when they are facing questions from the opposing counsels.
Conclusion
The Delhi LG Notification declaring Police Stations as designated place for Video Conferencing in Court evidence aims at saving time. How? – Police personnel are involved in so many cases, and their main job, which is investigation and maintenance of law and order, suffers. Virtual participation in Court proceedings has the potential to save a lot of time.
However, since Police personnel are directly involved in investigating criminal matters, their honest participation in Court trials cannot be overlooked. That is the reason the Advocate Strike is unstoppable, even reaching the residence of Delhi LG House. It seems things are going to heat up if the said notification is not taken back.
