Chennai Designates Sites For Online Witness Examination
Chennai’s judicial landscape is moving decisively into the digital era, as the state government has formally designated locations for online witness examinations under sections 265(3) and 266(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) Act. The initiative allows witnesses to provide testimony via video-conferencing, reducing the need for physical travel and enhancing procedural efficiency across courts in Tamil Nadu. Legal experts note this could reshape citizen access to justice, particularly in rural and remote districts.
The new framework enables cross-examinations and witness hearings to be conducted from dedicated video-conferencing rooms in the Madras High Court, district court complexes, and judicial magistrate courts. Additionally, government hospitals, central prisons, district and sub-jails, forensic science laboratories, district collectorates, revenue offices, taluk offices, and municipal corporation facilities have been integrated as potential venues. For public officials, including secretaries, commissioners, and department directors, designated rooms within government offices can also serve as witness hubs.Police and investigative authorities are similarly accommodated. District police offices, police commissionerates, the offices of the Director General of Police, and sub-divisional police stations are all now formally recognised for facilitating remote testimony. According to senior urban legal administrators, this ensures that witness participation is not delayed due to geographic or logistical constraints, potentially improving both case timelines and court efficiency.
Urban planners and civic experts highlight a broader implication: the scheme reduces the carbon footprint of court proceedings by minimising travel, aligning with Chennai’s ongoing smart city and sustainability initiatives. By leveraging existing government infrastructure, the state is creating a low-cost, scalable model for digital justice that could serve as a blueprint for other Indian cities seeking climate-conscious, citizen-first urban governance solutions.However, officials caution that technology adoption must be accompanied by rigorous cybersecurity protocols and staff training. Ensuring reliable connectivity in rural districts, equipping courtrooms with secure audiovisual tools, and maintaining data privacy are critical to prevent procedural disruptions or legal challenges.
From an economic and social perspective, this step could expand equitable access to justice. Witnesses previously constrained by travel costs, health limitations, or incarceration status can now contribute to proceedings without undue hardship. Analysts suggest that widespread implementation may also reduce case backlogs, increasing public confidence in judicial institutions and reinforcing transparency across the legal system.
Looking ahead, the state plans to monitor utilisation patterns, assess technological gaps, and potentially integrate additional government offices as virtual witness centres. If successfully scaled, Tamil Nadu’s initiative may become a national reference point for hybrid court operations, blending traditional infrastructure with modern, resilient urban governance.
