Delhi HC Issues Notice in Plea Seeking Direction To Family Courts To Record Evidence Through Video Conferencing [Read Order]

The Division Bench of Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw and Justice Asha Menon has issued notices to Delhi Government, Headquarters of Family Courts, and the Delhi High Court.

The order has come in a PIL filed by a person who is aggrieved by the fact that the recording of evidence in good divorce proceedings are being

held up on account of prevalent national lockdown in the wake of Covid-19, due to which, Family Courts have come to a standstill.

Therefore, the Petitioner seeks a direction to be issued to all the Family Courts to allow recording of evidence via video conferencing, either by the Presiding Judge of the Family Court himself/herself or by issuance of a Commission.

In support of his case, the Petitioner also referred to the various Circulars of this court which has allowed the district courts to function with restrictions and by complying with social distancing.

The court also impleaded various Bar Associations of the District Courts through the Coordination

Committee of All District Courts Bar Associations and notice be issued to them also.

While issuing notices, the court observed that:

'Video Conferencing Guidelines issued by the High Court of Delhi: Guidelines for the Conduct of Court Proceedings between Courts and Remote Sites" already appear to be wide enough to take care of the situation as has arisen in the wake of Covid-19. Even if the same are required to be supplemented, keeping in view the prevalent times, the said aspect can be considered in this petition.' Counsels who appeared for the Petitioner: Mr. Ankur Mahindro, Mr.Ankush Satija and Ms. Sanjoli Mehrotra

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