Full Text
REGD. No. D. L.-33002/99
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Delhi Gazette
SG-DL-E-09072025-264484
EXTRAORDINARY
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
No. 25] DELHI, MONDAY, JULY 7, 2025/ASHADHA 16, 1947 [N. C. T. D. No. 118
PART II-I
GOVERNMENT OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI
NOTIFICATION
Delhi, the 4th July, 2025
Electronic Evidence and Video Conferencing Rules, 2025
Preface
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No. 36/Rules/DHC.— WHEREAS, it is expedient to consolidate, unify and streamline the procedure
relating to electronic evidence and video conferencing for Courts.
WHEREAS, it is expedient to formalise and enable use of electronic communication and other audio-video
electronic means for the purpose of conducting trial, inquiry and proceedings under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha
Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (47 of 2023).
WHEREAS, the BNSS under section 54, 63, 64, 70, 71, 94, 154, 183, 187, 193, 209, 227, 230, 231, 251,
254, 262, 265, 266, 308, 310, 316, 336, 355, 356, 392, and 530 recognizes use of audio-video electronic means and
other forms of electronic communication for different proceedings.
WHEREAS, Section 530 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) provides that all trials,
inquires and proceedings under this Sanhita, including examination of complainant and witnesses, recording of
evidence in inquiries and trials and all appellate proceedings or any other proceeding, may be held in electronic mode,
by use of electronic communication or use of audio-video electronic means.
WHEREAS, under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), The Commercial Courts Act, 2015 (4 of
2016) read with the Information Technology Act, 2000 21 of 2000) and Delhi High Court (Original Side) Rules, 2018,
recording of evidence through electronic means and conduct of proceedings through video conferencing is fully
recognized in all civil proceedings, commercial cases before the Delhi High Court and the District Courts.
WHEREAS, Courts in Delhi have been using video conferencing as a mode of conducting inquiries and
trials in civil as well as criminal proceedings under the extant Video-Conferencing Rules dated 26.10.2021 notified in
the Gazette on 26.10.2021.
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In exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 225 and 227 of the Constitution of India, Section 7 of the
Delhi High Court Act, 1966, and all other enabling sections of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of
2023), the High Court of Delhi, with the prior approval of the Lt. Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi,
makes the following Rules:-
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title, Application and Commencement. -
(1) These Rules shall be called "The Electronic Evidence and Video Conferencing Rules, 2025".
(2) They shall apply to the High Court, all District Courts and tribunals over which the High Court of Delhi has
jurisdiction and to all judicial, departmental and mediation proceedings in pending cases.
(3) They shall come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
2. Definitions.-
(1) In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires,
(a) "Advocate" means and includes an advocate entered in any roll maintained under the provisions of the
Advocates Act, 1961 and shall for the purpose of these rules include prosecuting officers and government
pleaders;
(b) "Advocate's remote point" means a place from where an advocate or advocates may appear through a
live link and shall include advocate's chamber or office or a place notified by the Bar for video
conferencing;
(c) "Commissioner" means a person appointed as commissioner under the provisions of the Bharatiya
Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023) or the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908) or any
other law for the time being in force;
(d) "Coordinator" means a person nominated as coordinator under Rule 5;
(e) "Court" includes a physical court and a virtual court or a tribunal;
(f) "Court point" means the courtroom or the place where the court is physically convened; or the place
where commissioner or an inquiry officer holds proceedings pursuant to the directions of the Court;
(g) "Court room" means the place or room or confined space in which court proceedings are held;
(h) "Designated Place" means any one or more places specified where the facilities are made available for
use of electronic communication or use of audio-video electronic means with court points and shall
include Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centre from where evidence of such witnesses may be recorded;
(i) "Designated Video Conferencing Software" means a software approved by the High Court of
Delhi/concerned department for use of video conferencing or other audio-video electronic
communication;
(j) "High Court" means the High Court of Delhi;
(k) "Live link" means and includes a live link for audio-video electronic communication or other
arrangements whereby a witness, an accused, party, advocate or any other person is required by Court to
remain present virtually in the court room by use of electronic communication or use of audio-video
electronic means.
(l) "Remote Point" means a place where any person is required to be present or appear through a live link
and includes designated place from where submissions may be made before the Court but does not
include Advocate's remote point.
(m) "Remote User" means a user participating in court proceedings through video conferencing at a
designated place or advocate's remote point.
(n) "Required Person" includes:
(i) a person who is to be examined as a witness, complainant or otherwise; or
(ii) a person in whose presence certain proceedings are to be recorded or conducted including an accused;
or
(iii) an advocate or a party in person; or
(iv) any person including victim who is required to make submissions before the Court; or
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(v) any other person who is permitted by the Court to appear through video conferencing or other modes
of audio visual electronic communication;
(o) "Rules" shall mean these rules and any reference to a rule or sub-rule shall be a reference to a rule or
sub-rule of these rules;
(2) The words and phrases used but not defined herein shall bear the same meaning as assigned to them in the
Delhi High Court Rules; Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS); Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam,
2023 (BSA); Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (CPC), The Commercial Courts Act, 2015 (CCA, 2015),
Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act) and the General Clauses Act, 1897.
3. Construction of references.-
(1) Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 in these
Rules shall include reference to Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 under the corresponding provisions.
Chapter II
General Principles-I
Implementation of Video Conferencing under BNSS Provisions:
4.1. Electronic Hearings (BNSS Section 530)
All trials, inquiries, and proceedings may be conducted by use of electronic communication or use of audio-
video electronic means, including:
➢ Examination of complainants and witnesses
➢ Collection and preservation of evidence
➢ Recording of evidence
➢ Appellate and other judicial proceedings
4.2. Appearance via Video Conferencing (BNSS Sections 154, 355)
Persons required to appear before the court may do so via video conferencing, including cases where the accused
is absent.
4.3. Accused in Judicial Custody (BNSS Section 187)
Accused persons may be presented before the court via video conferencing, except for the first appearance,
which requires physical presence.
4.4. Framing of Charges (BNSS Section 251)
Charges may be read and explained to the accused through video conferencing, with their plea recorded
electronically.
4.5. Evidence of Witnesses (BNSS Sections 254, 265, 266, 310, 356)
Witness testimonies and depositions may be recorded via audio-video means in designated locations.
4.6. Deposition of evidence of any police officer or public servants (BNSS Section 254)
Testimonies of public servants may be recorded electronically to expedite legal proceedings.
4.7. Discharge of Accused (BNSS Section 262)
Courts may examine the accused via electronic means before granting discharge.
4.8. Examination of Accused in Custody (BNSS Section 316)
Accused persons in custody may be examined electronically, with signature verification required within 72
hours.
4.9. Evidence from Public Servants, Experts and police officers (BNSS Section 336)
Public officials, forensic experts, and police officers may provide evidence via video conferencing.
4.10. Judgment Pronouncement (BNSS Section 392)
Accused persons in custody may hear their judgment via video conferencing.
4.11. Presence of Accused during Evidence Recording (BNSS Section 308)
Accused persons shall be present, either physically or via video conferencing, during the recording of evidence.
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Chapter III
General Principles -2
5. General Principles Governing Video Conferencing and other modes of Audio- video electronic
communication
Subject to the provisions hereinafter contained, video conferencing and other modes of audio-visual electronic
communication may be used at all stages of judicial proceedings and proceedings conducted by the Court, where
a person who is required to be present or appear is not physically present in the court room:
(i) All proceedings conducted by a Court via video conferencing and other modes of audio visual electronic
communication shall be judicial proceedings and all parties shall maintain decorum and protocols
applicable to these proceedings;
(ii) All relevant statutory provisions applicable to judicial proceedings including provisions of BNSS, Code
of Civil Procedure, 1908, CCA, 2015, Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam,
2023 and IT Act, shall apply to proceedings conducted by video conferencing;
(iii) Subject to maintaining independence, impartiality and credibility of judicial proceedings, and subject to
such directions as the High Court may issue, Courts may adopt such technological advances as may
become available from time to time;
(iv) Courts shall use only High Court/government approved and secure video conferencing platforms
equipped with end-to-end encryption to protect data and privacy;
(v) Any unauthorized access, hacking attempts, or security breaches shall be reported immediately and
addressed in accordance with the law;
(vi) The Rules as applicable to a Court shall mutatis mutandis apply to a Commissioner appointed by the
Court to record evidence and to an inquiry officer conducting an inquiry;
(vii) Unless expressly permitted by Court, no person, either at Court Point or at designated place or at
Remote Point or Advocate's Remote Point, shall record or publish the proceedings or any part thereof,
conducted by video conferencing or other modes of audio-visual electronic communication;
(viii) There shall be no unauthorized recording of the proceedings by any person or entity.
6. Identification of person appearing through video conferencing or other modes of audio-visual electronic
communication.-
The person defined in rule 2(1)(n) shall provide an identity proof as recognized by the Government of
India or State Government to the Court Point coordinator by electronic communication. In case, identity proof is
not readily available, the Court may, upon satisfaction allow such person to participate in proceedings without
production of identity proof.
7. Facilities recommended for Video Conferencing
(i) Each courtroom shall be equipped with a video conferencing facility to enable seamless connectivity with
stakeholders. This integration will eliminate the need to move to a separate dedicated room for virtual
hearings, ensuring efficiency, saving time, and enhancing judicial proceedings.
(ii) A dedicated and exclusive video conferencing center shall be established promptly at each district level.
(iii) A dedicated space for video conferencing shall be established within police stations, prisons, prosecution
offices, forensic departments, and other designated places.
The following equipments are recommended for conducting proceedings by video conferencing at the Court
Point and the Remote Point:
(i) Desktop, laptop, All-in-one or any other display or projection mechanism;
(ii) High speed internet connectivity;
(iii) LAN/Wi-Fi set-up;
(iv) Video equipments including high resolution cameras;
(v) Audio equipments including microphones and speakers;
(vi) Secured Video conferencing software with capability of multiple users through login mechanism;
(vii) Transcription software and court approved recording mechanism;
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(viii) Adequate storage options through server or cloud;
(ix) IT support and maintenance; and
(x) Power back-up either through UPS and/ or through generators.
8. The designated video conferencing software to be procured by High Court shall facilitate following
minimum requirements:-
(i) an online, real-time collaboration software with features like video, voice, screen sharing, document sharing,
presentation, recording etc.
(ii) the solution shall have a whiteboard for flashing messages and recording meetings or sessions.
(iii) the complete access log of the different users with extended reports, including IP/Device details/Application
details, shall be provided with each meeting room.
(iv) the platform shall be hosted on an India-based data centre with a 100% Disaster recovery site.
(v) the platform shall offer cross-platform functionality, ensuring seamless operation across various operating
systems, including Windows, Linux, macOS, IOS etc., to accommodate diverse technology ecosystems of all
participants and guarantee a consistent user experience regardless of the operating system used.
(vi) the platform shall be scalable to multi point connectivity with 500 user logins at a time.
(vii) the platform shall provide private and confidential Breakout rooms; between multiple users.
(viii) the platform may be capable of open hearing concept and/ or synchronizing and scheduling with cause list of
cases by advocates with or without waiting lobby and automatic pulling according to the cause list.
(ix) the platform shall provide master control facility at Court's end, recording and archiving facility at court
point, server or cloud.
(x) the platform shall provide audit trail facility of the proceedings and also provision of a firewall.
9. Appointment of Coordinators.-
(1) There shall be a Coordinator both at the Court Point and at the designated place from where any required
person is to be examined or heard or is directed to remain present. However, coordinator may be required at
the remote point only when a witness or a person accused of an offence is to be examined;
(2) In all the Courts, one or more persons nominated by the High Court or by the Principal District and Sessions
Judge concerned within whose jurisdiction the respective Court is located, shall perform the functions of the
coordinators at the designated place.
(3) The Court may appoint any court official as a coordinator at the Court Point.
(4) The coordinator at the designated place may be any of the following:
+---------+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Sub | Where the Advocate or Required | The Remote Point Coordinator shall be:- |
| Rule | Person is at the following Point:- | |
+---------+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 9.(4).1 | Overseas | An official of an Indian Consulate/the relevant Indian |
| | | Embassy/the relevant High Commission of India; |
+---------+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 9.(4).2 | Court of another State or Union | Any authorized official nominated by the concerned |
| | Territory of India | Principal District and Sessions Judge; |
+---------+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 9.(4).3 | Mediation Centre or office of District | Any authorized person/official nominated by the |
| | Legal Services Authority | Chairperson or Secretary of the concerned District Legal |
| | | Services Authority or the Incharge of the Mediation |
| | | Centre; |
+---------+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 9.(4).4 | Jail or prison | The concerned Jail Superintendent or Officer-in-charge of |
| | | the prison; |
+---------+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 9.(4).5 | Hospitals administered by the Central | Medical Superintendent or an official authorized by them |
| | Government, the State Government of | or the person in charge of the said hospital; |
| | local bodies | |
+---------+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 9.(4).6 | Observation Home, Special Home, | The Superintendent or Officer in charge of that Child Care |
| | Children's Home, Shelter Home, or any | Institution or an official authorized by them; |
| | institution referred to as a Child Care | |
| | Institution and where the Required | |
| | Person is a child in conflict with law or a | |
| | child or a person who is an inmate of | |
| | such Child Care Institution. | |
+---------+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 9.(4).7 | Women's Rescue Homes, Protection | The Superintendent or Officer-in-charge of the women's |
| | Homes, Shelter Homes, Nari Niketans or | facility or an official authorized by them; |
+---------+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
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+---------+-------------------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 9.(4).8 | any institution referred to as a women's | The Superintendent or Officer-in-charge of the institution |
| | facility (collectively referred to as | facility or an official authorized by them; |
| | women's facilities). | |
+---------+------------------------------------------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| 9.(4).8 | In custody, care or employment of any | The Superintendent or Officer-in-charge of the institution |
| | other government office, organization or | facility or an official authorized by them; |
| | institution (collectively referred to as | |
| | institution facilities). | |
+---------+------------------------------------------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| 9.(4).9 | Forensic Science Lab | The Administrative officer- in-charge or their nominee; |
+---------+------------------------------------------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| 9.(4).10| In case of any other location | The concerned Court may nominate any public servant or |
| | | public official of the concerned department to render |
| | | services as a Coordinator to ensure that the proceedings |
| | | are conducted in a fair, impartial and independent manner |
| | | and according to the directions issued by the Court in the |
| | | behalf. |
+---------+------------------------------------------+------------------------------------------------------------+
(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of Clause 3.4.1, where witness examination is to take place in a criminal case
of a person located outside the country, the provisions of the BNSS 2023 (Section 110 and Chapter 8) and
"Comprehensive Guidelines for investigation abroad and issue of Letters Rogatory (LRs)/Mutual Legal
Assistance (MLA) Request and Service of Summons Notices/ Judicial documents in respect of Criminal
Matters prevailing at that time" will be followed to the extent they comport with the provisions of the BNSS
and BSA.
10. Preparatory arrangements.-
(1) The coordinator at the designated place/remote point shall ensure that:
(a) the required persons scheduled to appear in a particular proceeding are ready at the remote
point/designated place for video conferencing well before the scheduled time;
(b) no unauthorized recording device is used;
(c) no unauthorized person enters the remote point or designated place when the video conference is in
progress;
(d) the person being examined is not prompted, tutored, coaxed, induced or coerced in any manner by any
person and that the person being examined does not refer to any document, script or device without the
permission of the Court concerned during the course of examination.
(2) Where the witness to be examined through video conferencing or other audio-visual electronic communication
requires or if it is otherwise expedient to do so, the Court shall give sufficient notice in advance, setting out the
schedule of video conferencing and in appropriate cases may provide the copies of all or any part of the relevant
documents in electronic form to the coordinator of the concerned remote point.
(3) Before the scheduled video conferencing, the Court shall ensure that the coordinator at the designated place or
remote point receives in electronic form, copies of all or any part of the documents which may be required for
recording of evidence, or for reference of the witness. However, coordinator shall allow such documents in
electronic form to be used by the required person only with the permission of the Court.
(4) Whenever required, the Court shall order the coordinator at the remote point or at the court point to provide-
(a) a translator in case the person to be examined is not conversant with the official language of the court;
(b) an expert in sign languages in case the person to be examined is impaired in speech and/or hearing;
(c) an interpreter or a special educator, as the case may be, in case a person to be examined is differently abled,
either temporarily or permanently;
(d) a person for reading of documents in case the person to be examined is visually challenged.
CHAPTER IV
PROCEDURE FOR VIDEO CONFERENCING
11. Appearance through video conferencing and other modes of audio-visual electronic communication.-
(1) In criminal cases, any party to the proceedings or witness, save and except where proceedings are
initiated at the instance of the Court or on request of public prosecutor, may move a request for
presence and proceedings through video conferencing. (SCHEDULE - II)
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(2) In civil cases, the court may, as its discretion or on request of any of the parties, initiate process for
hearing of any case through video conferencing and other modes of audio-visual electronic
communication.
(3) While allowing a request for video conferencing, the Court may also fix the schedule for convening
the video conferencing.
(4) An advocate may appear from advocate's remote point for making submissions or for examination of
witnesses.
(5) Where video conferencing proceedings are conducted for making oral submissions, the order may
require the advocate or party in person to submit written arguments and precedents, if any, in advance.
12. Service of processes.-
Processes issued to a witness who is to be examined through video conferencing, shall mention the date, time
and venue of the concerned designated place and shall direct the witness to attend in person alongwith proof
of identity. If a person is examined with reference to a particular document, then the process to witness shall
be accompanied by a copy of the document, except if it is a cross-examination:
Provided that nothing in this rule shall preclude a court from conducting trials, inquiries and proceedings in
electronic mode, by use of electronic communication or use of audio-video electronic means.
13. Examination of persons and witnesses through video conferencing and other modes of audio-visual
electronic communication
(1) The person being examined through video conferencing and other modes of audio-visual electronic
communication shall ordinarily be examined during the working hours of the court concerned or at such time
as the court may deem fit.
(2) Where the person being examined is an accused, the court shall provide adequate opportunity to consult
with his advocate before and after the video conferencing.
(3) The Court shall read over and explain the evidence recorded to the witness and obtain the signature of the
person being examined on the transcript immediately after the examination is concluded. The signed
transcript shall form part of the record of the judicial proceedings. The signature on the transcript of the
person being examined shall be obtained in either of the following ways.-
(a) If digital signatures are available at both the concerned Court Point and remote point, the copy of
the transcript digitally signed by the presiding officer at the Court Point shall be sent by the designated
video conferencing software or official e-mail to the coordinator at remote point where a print out of the
same shall be taken and signed by the person being examined. A scanned copy of the transcript digitally
signed by the coordinator at the remote point shall be transmitted by the designated video conferencing
software or official e-mail of the Court Point;
(b) If digital signatures are not available, the printout of the transcript shall be signed by the Presiding
Judge, at the Court Point and shall be sent in non-editable scanned format by the designated video
conferencing software or official e-mail account of the designated place or e-mail of the coordinator at
remote point where a printout of the same shall be taken and signed by the person examined and
countersigned by the coordinator at the remote point. A non-editable scanned format of the transcript so
signed shall be sent by the coordinator at the remote point by the designated video conferencing software
or official e-mail to the Court Point where a print out of the same shall be taken and shall be made a part
of the judicial record. If printing facilities are not available, signature on an electronic device such as
iPAD/Tab under the supervision of the Remote Point Coordinator would be permissible. After such
electronically affixed signature, the Remote Point Coordinator shall send a duly certified copy of the
transcript to the Presiding Judge.
(4) The court may, at the request of a person to be examined, or on its own motion, taking into account the
best interest of the person to be examined, direct appropriate measures to protect the privacy of the person
examined bearing in mind aspects such as age, gender, physical condition and recognized customs and
practices.
(5) The coordinator at the designated place shall ensure that no person is present at the remote point, save and
except the person being examined and those whose presence is deemed administratively necessary by the
coordinator for the proceedings.
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(6) The court may also impose such other conditions as are necessary for effective hearing of cases through
video conferencing and other modes of audio-video electronic communication.
(7) If the court thinks fit, the required person may be permitted to connect through video conferencing or
other modes of audio-visual electronic communication from the place of residence or work:
Provided that evidence of a witness shall be recorded only from the designated place, except in situations
hereinafter provided.
(8) Where a required person is not capable of reaching the Court Point or the designed place due to sickness
or physical infirmity, or whose presence cannot be secured without undue delay or expense, the Court
may authorize conduct of video conferencing from the place at which such person is located. In such
circumstances the court may direct the use of portable video conferencing systems and ensure presence as
it may deem fit.
(9) Where the court is of the opinion, for reasons to be recorded in writing that, evidence of the witness
cannot be effectively recorded, it may decline to examine such witness through video conferencing.
14. Exhibiting or showing documents to witness or accused at a remote point.-
If in the course of examination of a person at a remote point by video conferencing, it is necessary to show a
document to the person, the Court may permit the document to be shown in the following manner.
(a) If the document is at Court Point, by transmitting the document through document visualizer;
(b) if the document is at Court Point, but document visualizer is not available, by transmitting a copy or
image of the document to the remote point electronically through the designated video conferencing
software or official e-mail;
(c) if the document is at the remote point, by transmitting a copy or image of the document to the Court Point
electronically through the designated video conferencing software or official e-mail. The hard copy of the
document counter signed by the witness and the coordinator at the designated place shall also be
dispatched to the Court Point.
15. Ensuring seamless video conferencing.-
(1) The coordinator at Court Point shall provide the live link of the video conferencing hearing to advocates
or the required person.
(2) If the proceedings are carried out from any place other than a remote point, the coordinator, if any, at such
remote point shall ensure compliance of all technical requirements.
(3) The coordinator at the Court Point shall be in contact with the concerned advocate or the required person
and guide them in regard to the fulfillment of technical and other requirements for executing a successful
hearing through video conferencing. Any problem faced by such advocate or the required person shall be
resolved by the coordinator at Court Point.
(4) The coordinator at the Court Point shall ensure that any document or audio-visual files, emailed by the
advocate or the required person, are duly received at the Court Point.
16. Remand.-
The court may authorize detention in judicial custody, of any person accused of an offence, by video
conferencing or other modes of audio-visual electronic communication as per the provisions of section 187
BNSS:
Provided that if the accused is already in judicial custody, whether of the same Court or some other Court or is
undergoing sentence, the Court may further remand him during inquiry or trial under section 346(2) of the
BNSS through video conferencing or other modes of audio-visual electronic communication.
17. Plea bargaining.-
The Court may also use the modes of audio-visual electronic communication for the purpose of plea bargaining
under Chapter XXIII of the BNSS.
18. Record of proceedings through audio-visual electronic communication.-
Wherever any proceeding is carried out by the Court under these rules by taking recourse to the modes of audio
visual electronic communication, the Court shall mention in the order sheet, that the hearing is conducted
through video conferencing.
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CHAPTER V
GENERAL PROCEDURE
19. General Procedure.-
(1) The procedure set out hereinafter in this chapter is without prejudice to the procedure indicated
elsewhere in these rules where proceedings are conducted through video conferencing or other
modes of audio visual electronic communication.
(2) The coordinator at the Court Point shall ensure that video conferencing is conducted only through
designated video conferencing software:
Provided that in the event of a technical fault or for any other sufficient cause, the Court may for
reasons to be recorded in writing, permit the use of a software other than the designated video
conferencing software for video conferencing in that particular proceeding:
Provided further that nothing contained in these rules shall prevent a Court, after recording its
reasons in writing, from using any software other than the designated video conferencing software
or other modes of audio visual electronic communication, to facilitate the hearing of cases in
electronic mode.
(3) In criminal cases, where the person to be examined is a prosecution witness, or a court witness, or a
defence witness, or a person is to make submission for prosecution, or a person is to make
submission for defence, the advocate for the prosecution or defence or the accused, as the case may
be, shall confirm to the Court the location of the person, and the time, place and technical facilities
available for such video conferencing.
(4) If the accused is in custody and not present at the Court Point, the Court shall order a multi-point
video conference between Court Point, the witness and the accused in custody to facilitate recording
of the statement of the witnesses including medical or other experts.
20. Conduct of Proceedings.-
(1) All advocates, required persons, the party in person or any other person permitted by the Court to
remain physically or virtually present (hereinafter collectively referred to as participants), shall have
their presence recorded. However, in case participants are desirous that their face or name be
masked, information to that effect shall be furnished to the Court Point coordinator prior to the
commencement of proceedings for the approval of the court.
(2) All Advocates, Required Persons, the party in person and/or any other person permitted by the
Court to remain physically or virtually present (hereinafter collectively referred to as participants)
shall abide by the requirements set out in Schedule I.
(3) The Court Point coordinator shall send the live link on mobile number furnished by the participants
permitted to be virtually present in the Court. Once the proceedings have commenced, no other
person shall be permitted to participate in the virtual hearing, except with the permission of Court.
(4) Participation in the proceedings through video conferencing shall constitute consent by the
participants to the proceedings being recorded.
(5) Establishment and disconnection of links between the Court Point and the remote point shall be
regulated by orders of the Court.
(6) The court shall satisfy itself that the advocate, required person or any other participant that the court
deems necessary at the remote point or the Court Point can be seen and heard clearly and can clearly
see and hear the court.
(7) To ensure that video conferencing is conducted seamlessly, the difficulties, if any, experienced in
connectivity shall be brought to the notice of the Court at the earliest on the mobile number of the
Court Point coordinator which has been furnished to the participant before the commencement of
the video conferencing.
21. Third parties to the case.-
(1) Third parties may be allowed to remain present during video conferencing unless directed otherwise
by the Court. However, they shall be passive participants and shall not be allowed to make any
submission without permission of the Court.
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PART II-I
(2) Where, for any reason, a person unconnected with the case is present at the remote point, that person
shall be identified by the coordinator at the remote point at the beginning of the proceedings and the
purpose of the presence of that person shall be conveyed to the Court. Such person shall continue to
remain present only with the permission of the Court.
22. Cost of Video Conferencing
In the absence of rules prescribed by the concerned Court, the Court may take into consideration the following
circumstances when determining and/or apportioning the costs of video conferencing:
a. The expenses of the video conferencing facility including expenses involved in preparing soft
copies/certified copies of the Court record and transmitting the same to the Coordinator at the Remote
Point, and the fee payable to the translator/interpreter/special educator, as the case may be, as also the fee
payable to the Coordinator at the Remote Point, shall be borne by such party as directed by the Court.
b. Besides the above, the Court may also make an order as to expenses as it considers appropriate, taking into
account the rules / instructions regarding payment of expenses to the parties, complainant and witnesses,
as may be prevalent from time to time.
c. It shall be open to the Court to waive the costs as warranted in a given situation.
23. Access to Legal Aid Clinics/Camps/Lok Adalats/Jail Adalats
a. In conformity with the provisions of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 and the laws in force, in
proceedings related to Legal Aid Clinics, Camps, Lok Adalats or Jail Adalats, any person who at the
Remote Point is in Jail or Prison shall be examined by the Chairman/ Secretary of the District Legal
Service Authority or Members of Lok Adalats before passing any award or orders as per law.
b. Such award or order shall have the same force as if it was passed by the regular Lok Adalat or Jail Adalat.
c. Copy of the award or order and the record of proceedings shall be sent to the Remote Point.
24. Allowing persons who are not parties to the case to view the proceedings
To observe the requirement of an open Court proceeding, members of the public shall be allowed to view
Court hearings conducted through video conferencing, except proceedings ordered for reasons recorded in
writing to be conducted in- camera. The Court shall endeavour to either provide an open link or make available
sufficient links (consistent with available bandwidth) for accessing the proceedings.
Chapter VI
Miscellaneous
25. Power to Relax
The High Court may if satisfied that the operation of any Rule is causing undue hardship, by order dispense
with or relax the requirements of that Rule to such extent and subject to such conditions, as may be stipulated
to deal with the case in a just and equitable manner.
26. Residual Provisions
Matters concerning which no express provision has been made in these Rules shall be decided by the Court
consistent with the principle of furthering the interests of justice.
27. Repeal and Savings
(1) The High Court of Delhi Rules for Video Conferencing for Courts, 2021 are hereby repealed.
(2) Notwithstanding the repeal, provisions of High Court of Delhi Rules for Video Conferencing for Courts,
2021 shall apply to:-
a) Actions and proceedings commenced before these rules came into force.
b) All notifications/orders published/issued under the High Court of Delhi Rules for Video
Conferencing for Courts, 2021, to the extent they are not repugnant to these rules, shall be deemed
to have been made or issued under these rules.
SCHEDULE I
1. All participants shall wear sober attire consistent with the dignity of the proceedings. Advocates shall be
appropriately dressed in professional attire prescribed under the Advocates Act, 1961. Police officials shall
appear in the uniform prescribed for police officials under the relevant statute or orders. The attire for judicial
[PART II-I
DELHI GAZETTE: EXTRAORDINARY
25
officers and court staff will be as specified in the relevant rules prescribed in that behalf by the High Court.
The decision of the Presiding Judge or officer as to the dress code will be final.
2. Proceedings shall be conducted at the appointed date and time. Punctuality shall be scrupulously observed.
3. The case will be called out and appearances shall be recorded on the direction of the Court.
4. Every participant shall adhere to the courtesies and protocol that are followed in a physical Court. Judges shall
be addressed as "Madam/Sir" or "Your Honour". Officers will be addressed by their designation such as “Court
Master". Advocates will be addressed as "Learned Counsel/Senior Counsel".
5. Advocates, Required Persons, parties in person and other participants shall keep their microphones muted till
they are called upon to make submissions.
6. Remote Users shall ensure that their devices are free from malware.
7. Every Advocate appearing through video conferencing before a Court/ Tribunal shall join from the Advocate's
remote point. An endeavor shall be made by Advocates not to join from mobile phones, from public places,
vehicles or Court corridors, especially for addressing long arguments, barring under exceptional circumstances
with the permission of the Court.
8. Remote Users and the Coordinator at the Remote Point shall ensure that the Remote Point is situated in a quiet
location, is properly secured and has sufficient internet coverage. Any unwarranted disturbance caused during
video conferencing may, if the Presiding Judge so directs, render the proceedings non-est.
9. All participants' cell phones shall remain switched off or in airplane mode during the proceedings.
10. All participants shall endeavor to look into the camera, remain attentive and shall not engage in any other
activity during the proceedings.
11. All participants shall ensure that there is no background noise, unnecessary movements, and interruptions shall
be minimized to maintain the decorum of judicial proceedings.
12. The use of offensive language, disrespectful behavior, or non-compliance with judicial instructions may lead to
immediate removal from the session and potential legal consequences.
13. Only courts have the discretion to mute or remove any participant violating these conduct rules.
SCHEDULE II
Request Form for Video Conference
1.Case Number/CNR Number (if any)
2.Cause Title
3.Proposed Date of conference (DD/MM/YYYY):
4.Location of the Court Point(s):
5.Location of the Remote Point(s):
6.Name & Designation of the Participants at the Remote Point:
7.Reasons for Video Conferencing:
In the matter of:
8. Nature of Proceedings: Final Hearing Motion Hearing Others
I have read and understood the provisions of Rules for Video Conferencing for Courts (hyperlink). I undertake
to remain bound by the same to the extent applicable to me. I agree to pay video conferencing charges if so,
directed by the Court.
Signature of the applicant/authorized signatory:
Date:
26
DELHI GAZETTE: EXTRAORDINARY
PART II-I
A) Bench assigned:
B) Hearing:
Held on (DD/MM/YYYY):
Commencement Time:
End time:
Number of hours:
C) Costs:
Overseas transmission charges if any:
To be Incurred by Applicant/Respondent: To be shared equally:
Waived; as ordered by the Court:
Signature of the authorized officer;
Date:
For use of the Registry/Court Point Coordinator
By Order of this Court,
ARUN BHARDWAJ, Registrar General
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054. GORAKHA NATH
YADAVA
Digitally signed by GORAKHA
NATH YADAVA
Date: 2025.07.09 14:51:39 +05'30'