The Delhi Police have suspended the implementation of the Lieutenant Governor's (L-G) order that permitted police officers to present evidence in court via video conferencing from police stations. This decision comes after days of protests and strikes by lawyers across the capital, who viewed the order as undermining courtroom transparency and potentially eroding accountability. In response to the police's decision, lawyers have called off their strike, which had paralyzed court functioning for six days.
The L-G's notification, issued on August 13, 2025, allowed police officers to provide evidence in court via video conferencing (VC) from police stations. This was a shift from the existing procedure, which required officers to be physically present in court. The Raj Niwas had stated that the order would significantly reduce the time police officers spend traveling to courts across the city. It was estimated that over 2,000 Delhi Police officers depose before various courts every day. 222 locations were designated across all districts and units in Delhi for deposition of police officers during trial or court proceedings.
Lawyers strongly opposed the notification, arguing that it could lead to manipulation and lacked neutrality. They raised concerns about officers potentially being aided by undisclosed notes, documents, or external inputs while deposing from police stations. The Coordination Committee of All District Court Bar Associations of Delhi argued that the order would dilute the principle of open justice. The Delhi High Court Bar Association also condemned the L-G's notification, siding with the trial court lawyers. The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) also issued a strong condemnation of the notification.
The lawyers' strike disrupted court proceedings across the city. The Coordination Committee of All District Courts Bar Associations of Delhi issued a circular stating that no advocate shall appear either in physical or virtual mode before courts. The committee also planned a march from the Tis Hazari Court complex to the residence of the L-G to intensify their protest.
The Delhi Police Commissioner's office released a statement announcing that the Union Home Minister would meet with representatives of the Bar to discuss the issue. The police also clarified that the notification would not be implemented until all stakeholders are heard. Following this assurance, the lawyers decided to call off their strike and return to court duties.
Several lawyer bodies and political parties had criticized the notification. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) called the order an "absurd dictatorial decree" and questioned the feasibility of police giving testimony via video conference from police stations. The Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee also joined the protesting lawyers. The Bar Council of India (BCI) urged the immediate withdrawal of the notification and insisted that police officials' evidence continue to be recorded in person before the court.
The situation is now pending a meeting between the Union Home Minister and Bar representatives. The outcome of this meeting is expected to determine the future of the contentious notification. A plea challenging the notification is also pending for hearing before the Delhi High Court.
