Make A Video Call To Investigating Officer Every Monday, Also 'Drop A Pin' On Google Maps: Delhi HC Directs Accused While Granting Him Bail [Read Order]

"The applicant shall make a video-call every Monday between 11 am and 11:30 am to the Investigating Officer." This is one of the conditions imposed by the Delhi High Court while granting bail to an accused.

The High Court is issuing this novel directive in its bail orders in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic. Usual practice is to direct the accused/bail applicant to appear before the investigating officer on a particular day and time once or twice a week.

Recently, Justice Anup Jairam Bhambani issued this directive while disposing a bail application filed by a murder accused which was heard via video conferencing. The accused had sought bail on the ground that he had to attend to his daughter's medical needs. It was submitted that she is suffering from an eye ailment which requires better attention and timely surgery.

The Court granted him interim bail for five weeks also taking note of the fact that he has been in judicial custody for more than 4 years as undertrial. While granting bail, these conditions were imposed:

The applicant shall make a video-call every Monday between 11 am and 11:30 am to the Investigating Officer, and in case the Investigating Officer is not available, then to the SHO PS : Palam Village and also 'drop-a-pin' on Google Maps, so that the IO/SHO can verify the applicant's presence and location. Counsel for the applicant has confirmed that the applicant has the wherewithal to comply with this condition.

The applicant shall furnish to the Investigating Officer/ SHO a cell phone number on which the applicant may be contacted and shall ensure that the number is kept active and switched-on at all times;  

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