The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) has unanimously passed a resolution on 27 August 2025 condemning the notification dated 13 August 2025 issued by the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. The notification had declared police stations as designated venues for recording the depositions of police personnel through video conferencing.
SCAORA expressed concern that such a measure undermines judicial independence and creates a perception of institutional imbalance, as it allows the investigative machinery to intrude upon and potentially influence the judicial process. The Association stressed that the venue and atmosphere of testimony are crucial to public confidence in the independence of courts. Unlike open courts accessible to litigants, lawyers, and citizens, police stations function as restricted executive spaces, raising concerns about evidence manipulation and undue influence.
The resolution also criticized the manner in which the notification was issued without prior consultation or dialogue with the judiciary or representative Bar bodies, both of whom are essential stakeholders in the justice delivery system.
SCAORA has urged the Lieutenant Governor to immediately withdraw the notification and instead initiate a comprehensive consultative process with the judiciary, the Bar, and other relevant stakeholders before contemplating such procedural reforms in the future.
Reaffirming its position, the Association reiterated its commitment to constitutional values, judicial independence, and the fair and transparent administration of criminal justice.