Calcutta HC Chief Justice Inaugurates VC System Between Courts & Correctional Homes At Kolkata, In-Camera Test-Identification Parade

The Chief Justice pointed at the foundational features of the Nirbhaya Project, and the need for having VC facilities between Courts and Correctional homes, laying emphasis on the importance of prisoner safety, preventing escape and seamless production of under-trials before the various sessions courts.

Following the tragedy of December 2012, the Nirbhaya fund was set up to protect the women of this country. The project has four features. First the safety and security of women, optimum use of existing infrastructure, innovative use of technology, and avoiding repetition of earlier government programs. Approved cost under this project for WB was more than 2.99 crore, which was utilized by the police to set up this VC system. As pointed out, this ensures safety of prisoners, prevent their escape, and reduce vehicular costs 20 VC systems have been set up in 3 correctional homes, and 33 courtrooms in various court complexes across the State, it was stated.

The Chief Justice acknowledged the contribution of the various stakeholders in the project, including the members of the Kolkata Police, Chief Judge of the City Sessions Court, District Judge of South 24 pgs as well as the members of the Calcutta High Court registry and IT department.

This VC system helps seamless production of under-trials and for court to record evidence. Dedicated internet connectivity will be provided for the same. I am confident that soon this will be applied to all correctional homes across WB. We congratulate the KP and Calcutta HC stakeholders. My appeal is to fully use this facility so as to achieve the object for which it has been established. Thank you and happy puja, he concluded.

The ceremony was attended by Justice Tapabrata Chakroborty, who delivered the opening address, Justice Arijit Banerjee who delivered the vote of thanks, and Justices Rai Chattopadhyay and Ananya Bandopadhyay.

Further dignitaries who joined virtually included, the Chief Judge of the City Sessions Court, Judge-in-charge of South 24 pgs, Judicial Secretary, Government of West Bengal, Commissioner of Police, Vineet Goyal who spoke of the modalities of the project, as well as various high-ranking police and government officials of the State.