AAP Criticises Delhi LG’s Order Allowing Police to Give Court Testimony via Video

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has strongly criticised the Lieutenant Governor’s new order that allows police officers to give testimony in court through video conferencing while staying at their police stations. Delhi state coordinator Saurabh Bharadwaj described the order as 'absurd' and said it makes a mockery of the entire justice system. According to the notification, police officers no longer need to appear in court to give their statements. In response, all district courts in Delhi have gone on strike. Bharadwaj also pointed out that police have previously been accused of filing false cases under government pressure, and this order could further increase their unchecked powers. The Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court Bar Association have also opposed the move, demanding that the notification be withdrawn immediately.

Concerns About Police Power and Accountability

Speaking at a press conference with AAP advocate wing Delhi president Sanjeev Nasiyaar and other lawyers, Bharadwaj explained that when the central government introduced the Indian Penal Code, AAP had raised concerns and held discussions with the Home Ministry. The Home Secretary had given written assurance that police evidence must be given in court, not from police stations. Despite this, on August 13, Delhi LG V.K. Saxena issued a notification allowing police officers to record statements from their stations through video conferencing. Bharadwaj called it illegal, arbitrary, and a direct affront to the legal system. He emphasized that police are already accused of filing false cases under pressure, and lawyers currently cross-examine them in court to expose inaccuracies. With this new system, police officers could testify remotely, making it impossible for lawyers to challenge their statements effectively. If a lawyer asks a tough question and the officer’s testimony falters, the officer could claim internet issues and redo the testimony later, undermining the judicial process. Bharadwaj warned that this notification ridicules the justice system and gives unchecked power to the police.

Wider Implications and Bar Associations’ Response

Bharadwaj further stated that if police can testify remotely, it’s only a matter of time before CBI and ED officers are allowed the same, potentially manipulating cases. District courts had already gone on a three-day strike against the LG’s order, which will continue until Monday. Both the High Court Bar Association and the Supreme Court Bar Association have passed resolutions demanding the immediate withdrawal of the notification.

Impact on Legal Community and Citizens

Bharadwaj criticized the BJP government in Delhi, saying no section of society has been left unaffected since they took office. Middle-class families faced fee hikes in private schools, frequent power cuts, and assaults on doctors without proper legal action. Now, lawyers are facing harassment, and despite the district court strike, media coverage remains limited. Sanjeev Nasiyaar added that over the past decade, institutions have been weakened, and police powers have expanded under laws like the BNS, limiting citizens’ rights. With the LG’s notification, police will gain power to testify remotely without oath or cross-examination, weakening the justice system. He concluded that under AAP governments, citizens felt safe from police overreach and inflation pressures. Now, under the BJP, legal professionals are on the streets protesting law changes nationwide. The AAP Legal Wing will fully support lawyers’ strike actions and press the government and LG to revoke the notification.