New Delhi: The coordination committee of all district bar associations in Delhi announced on Saturday that lawyers would not defer their strike proposed to begin on Monday. The strike has been announced over investigating officers virtually presenting evidence in court from police stations.Following a meeting, New Delhi Bar Association stated, “We firmly stand on our demand and reiterate that police personnel have to appear only in physical mode in the court for the purpose of deposition/evidence.” Association secretary Tarun Rana said the chairman of Bar Council of India had written to the presidents and secretaries of all district court bar associations, urging them to recall the agitation. “However, we would like to make it clear that the coordination committee has decided on the agitation to protect the interests of the public at large and will continue with it till our genuine demand is met,” he emphasised.The demand for the physical appearance of police officers is for a fair and free trial, which is in the benefit of the public, Rana claimed, adding the agitation would be intensified if the demand is not met. On Sept 4, the committee condemned a letter sent on the same day from the police commissioner’s office to the principal district and sessions judges regarding the proposed method of virtual appearance and announced an indefinite lawyers’ strike from Monday. It is contrary to the assurance given by the authorities, it alleged.On Aug 13, lieutenant governor VK Saxena issued a notification on the issue, prompting city lawyers to go on strike. The protest, which began on Aug 22, ended on Aug 28 after a meeting with the representative of Union home minister Amit Shah and a statement by the Delhi Police commissioner clarifying that the notification would become operational only after all stakeholders were heard.A police officer said that having a designated space within police stations for officers to give their depositions via videoconference would significantly ease the workload of investigating officers as it would eliminate the time-consuming process of travelling to the court. “There are times when we have to travel long distances and the entire day is spent at the court. If such a facility is made available at the police station, it would save valuable time and allow officers to be deployed in the field more effectively.” Another officer said an officer often had to appear at multiple courts.
