O R D E R

% 09.12.2024

1. Pursuant to the previous order, Ms. Rebecca John, Senior Advocate and Amicus Curiae, has placed her research and submissions in respect of the extant rules/guidelines applicable to video recording of testimony of vulnerable witnesses.

2. In particular, she adverts to the Circular issued by the Registrar General of the High Court dated 20th May 2024, notifying “New Guidelines of the High Court of Delhi for Recording of The Evidence of Vulnerable Witnesses”, which are now posted on the website of the Delhi High Court under the link “Notifications and Practice Directions”.

3. The said Guidelines prescribe a protocol to improve the response of the justice dispensation system towards vulnerable witnesses. The Preamble itself notes: “this protocol prescribes guidelines while recording depositions of vulnerable witnesses in order to enable them to give the best evidence in criminal proceedings. Each witness is unique and is to be addressed accordingly”.

4. It is further stated that these Guidelines were developed in furtherance of Supreme Court’s directions in Smruti Tukaram Badade v. State of Maharashtra (2022) 18 SCC 24.

5. It is apposite to refer to the Objectives o