Supreme Court judge, Justice UU Lalit inaugurated the Vulnerable Witness Deposition complex (VWDC) in Dwarka court complex in Delhi..The inaugural function was held on February 3 and was attended by Chief Justice, G Rohini and Justices Gita Mittal and RK Gauba of the Delhi High Court..This is the fourth such complex in Delhi. Earlier, such complexes were established in Karkardooma, Saket and Tis Hazari courts. Similar such complexes are under construction in Rohini and Patiala House courts as well..A vulnerable witness is a witness who is (i) below 18 years of age or (ii) a victim or a witness in cases involving sexual offences or (iii) a victim or witness in a dangerous crime..The Supreme Court and Delhi High Court have laid down guidelines for securing accurate and reliable evidence from such witnesses while ensuring that they are not harmed or victimised in any manner..Justice UU Lalit, in his inaugural address, credited Justices G Rohini and Gita Mittal in the strides made in the witness protection regime..Speaking on the occasion Justice Mittal stressed on the requirement of having separate procedural approach for vulnerable witnesses..“This programme is a recognition that following a uniform procedural approach in a typical court room may result in casualty in cases involving sexual offences. If special treatment is not accorded, the system results in re-victimisation of victims.”.The vulnerable witness deposition complex has been equipped with audio-visual facility to enable a free interface between the presiding judge, the witness and the accused without the witness facing the accused. The complex also has a separate entry for vulnerable witnesses so that they do not come in direct contact with the accused at any point of time. There are provisions for support persons, pre-trial court visits and facilities for pick-up and drop of witnesses from their residence..Justice Gita Mittal has been instrumental in the establishment of vulnerable witness deposition complexes in Delhi..She had authored a judgment in 2009 laying down elaborate guidelines for dealing with child witnesses..Pursuant to the same, a committee was formed by the then Chief Justice AP Shah for monitoring the implementation of guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court. Justice Gita Mittal, who had penned the 2009 judgment, is the Chairperson of the Committee while Justice RK Gauba is its member..The Justice Verma Committee, which was constituted after the 2012 Delhi gang rape, had relied heavily on these guidelines in its report leading to amendments in criminal law.
Supreme Court judge, Justice UU Lalit inaugurated the Vulnerable Witness Deposition complex (VWDC) in Dwarka court complex in Delhi..The inaugural function was held on February 3 and was attended by Chief Justice, G Rohini and Justices Gita Mittal and RK Gauba of the Delhi High Court..This is the fourth such complex in Delhi. Earlier, such complexes were established in Karkardooma, Saket and Tis Hazari courts. Similar such complexes are under construction in Rohini and Patiala House courts as well..A vulnerable witness is a witness who is (i) below 18 years of age or (ii) a victim or a witness in cases involving sexual offences or (iii) a victim or witness in a dangerous crime..The Supreme Court and Delhi High Court have laid down guidelines for securing accurate and reliable evidence from such witnesses while ensuring that they are not harmed or victimised in any manner..Justice UU Lalit, in his inaugural address, credited Justices G Rohini and Gita Mittal in the strides made in the witness protection regime..Speaking on the occasion Justice Mittal stressed on the requirement of having separate procedural approach for vulnerable witnesses..“This programme is a recognition that following a uniform procedural approach in a typical court room may result in casualty in cases involving sexual offences. If special treatment is not accorded, the system results in re-victimisation of victims.”.The vulnerable witness deposition complex has been equipped with audio-visual facility to enable a free interface between the presiding judge, the witness and the accused without the witness facing the accused. The complex also has a separate entry for vulnerable witnesses so that they do not come in direct contact with the accused at any point of time. There are provisions for support persons, pre-trial court visits and facilities for pick-up and drop of witnesses from their residence..Justice Gita Mittal has been instrumental in the establishment of vulnerable witness deposition complexes in Delhi..She had authored a judgment in 2009 laying down elaborate guidelines for dealing with child witnesses..Pursuant to the same, a committee was formed by the then Chief Justice AP Shah for monitoring the implementation of guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court. Justice Gita Mittal, who had penned the 2009 judgment, is the Chairperson of the Committee while Justice RK Gauba is its member..The Justice Verma Committee, which was constituted after the 2012 Delhi gang rape, had relied heavily on these guidelines in its report leading to amendments in criminal law.
