Chandigarh, June 9 - Lokayuktas in Haryana will now adopt video conferencing (VC) facility for their proceedings. This directive is part of the state government's comprehensive initiative aimed at leveraging audio-visual electronic resources for all kinds of official communication or interaction in line with the new Central Criminal Laws and Supreme Court guidelines.
In this regard, a letter has been issued by Chief Secretary Mr. Anurag Rastogi to all Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Managing Directors of Boards and Corporations, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Sub-Divisional Officers and Registrars of Punjab and Haryana High Court, in which strict adherence to these new directives has been emphasized.
This decision to integrate video conferencing facilities is in line with the provisions of the Indian Civil Security Code, 2023. In particular, under Section 336 of the Indian Civil Security Code, 2023, the use of audio-visual electronic sources has been expressly encouraged for the purpose of evidence of public servants, experts, police officers in certain cases and under Section 530 of the Indian Civil Security Code, 2023 for investigation and proceedings.
In addition, the Supreme Court of India has framed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in the case of State of Uttar Pradesh and Har vs. Association of Retired Judges of the Supreme Court and Allahabad High Court and others titled Civil Appeal Nos. 23-24 of 2024. In this too, the presence of government officials through video conferencing has been encouraged.
In response to these developments, the State Government has notified the establishment of authorized conferencing facilities through a notification issued by the Department of Administrative Justice on January 31, 2025.