Delhi lawyers to go on two-day strike against order allowing police officials to depose from stations

The Coordination Committee of All District Bar Associations of Delhi has decided to go on a two-day strike starting August 22. .No advocate shall appear either in physical or through virtual mode before courts, the lawyers body said. "All the advocates are requested to cooperate. If any advocate is found appearing before any court either physically or virtually, strict action shall be taken," it warned. .The lawyers have been protesting against a notification issued by Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena on August 13, allowing Delhi police stations as the designated place for recording of evidence of police officials.The lawyers' association has said that the notification means police officials can depose and present evidence from the police stations through video conferencing.On August 20, they had written to the LG and the Central government to withdraw the notification."From a procedural standpoint, when an officer deposes from within his own police station, there can be no assurance that he is not aided by undisclosed notes, documents, or external inputs. Such a setting inherently lacks neutrality and renders the deposition susceptible to manipulation. Further, the handling and presentation of physical evidence, such as weapons or seized articles, cannot be carried out effectively in such remote circumstances, thereby compromising the evidentiary process and the fairness of trial," the lawyers had said in their representation. However, as the government did not withdraw the notification, the lawyers' body decided to go on strike. "Under such circumstances when there is severe resentment amongst the Legal fraternity against the arbitrarily and unlawful notification which is against the fundamental law and public at large, the Coordination Committee in today's meeting has unanimously decided that there shall be a complete abstain of work in all the District Courts of Delhi on 22nd & 23rd August, 2025," the Coordination Committee said. .[Read Coordination Committee's Notice]