Delhi Police has issued a new circular under BNSS 2023, stating that ‘police witnesses will now be examined through electronic communication and video conferencing.’ This move aims to speed up legal proceedings and ensure smooth witness examination.
The Office of the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, has issued a circular on 4 September 2025 announcing that police witnesses will now be examined through electronic communication and video conferencing under the new Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS).
The circular explained that Section 530 of BNSS 2023 allows all trials, enquiries, and proceedings under the new law to be conducted in electronic mode.
This includes examination of complainants and witnesses, recording of evidence, and even appellate proceedings through audio-video electronic means.
It also pointed out that Section 254 of BNSS 2023 permits the recording of witness evidence, including that of public servants, through video conferencing.
Similarly, Sections 265 and 266 allow the recording of prosecution and defence witnesses at ‘designated places’ notified by the State Government.
The Delhi High Court had earlier issued a notification on 4 July 2025, laying down the procedure and identifying designated places for recording evidence. These places include prisons, forensic departments, prosecution offices, and police stations.
Following this, the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Delhi issued a notification on 13 August 2025 to set up video conferencing facilities in all police stations of Delhi to enable deposition of police personnel and officers.
In its submission, the police clarified that,
“To begin with, only formal police witnesses may be permitted to be examined through video conferencing.”
However, the examination of material police witnesses will continue in physical mode until further consultations are held among stakeholders.
This step has been taken to maintain both the speed of proceedings and the sanctity of crucial witness examinations.
The circular also added that if the defence counsel requests a physical examination of a police witness, the presiding judge may decide the matter based on merits.
According to the Commissioner’s office, this arrangement will help in the smooth and balanced implementation of the new provisions for virtual witness examination under BNSS 2023.
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