CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: The Allahabad High Court has issued an important direction regarding the investigation of criminal cases in Uttar Pradesh. The court has asked the Director General of Police (DGP) of Uttar Pradesh to consider making audio-video recording mandatory for all witness statements recorded under Section 180 of the BNSS. The court observed that this would increase transparency and fairness in the investigation process and that such recordings could also prove useful during judicial proceedings.
The direction was issued by the bench of Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal during the hearing of a bail application in a dowry case linked to Agra. During the hearing, the investigating officer admitted that no audio-video record had been prepared while recording the statement of the first complainant. After questions from the court, the investigating officer also tendered an unconditional apology.
The court noted that under Section 180(3) of the BNSS and Rule 20(1) of the BNSS Rules, 2024, the investigating officer is permitted to record a witness statement through audio-video means. At the same time, earlier directions issued by the DGP had made recording of a rape victim’s statement mandatory, while in the case of other witnesses’ statements it had been kept optional.
The High Court said that in some cases this option is being used to avoid recording. The court also directed the DGP to inform all investigating officers about the relevant guidelines and to take necessary steps to ensure their compliance.
According to the court, the purpose of an investigation should be to ascertain the real facts and to protect innocent people from being harassed because of a wrong or flawed investigation.
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