Haryana's Digital Court Reform: Video Conferencing Records 89,136 Witness Statements in One Year
In a landmark development for judicial efficiency, Haryana's Director General of Police (DGP) Ajay Singhal announced on Friday that recording witness statements through video conferencing in district courts represents a transformative reform. This initiative is making the justice delivery system more effective, time-bound, and result-oriented, according to official statements.
Substantial Reduction in Delays and Resource Burden
DGP Singhal emphasized that the adoption of video conferencing technology has led to a significant decrease in delays previously caused by the non-availability of witnesses. This technological advancement has accelerated the pace of case disposal across the state. He further noted that police personnel, jail administration staff, as well as medical and expert witnesses are no longer required to make repeated physical appearances in courts. This change has substantially reduced the burden on time, resources, and security arrangements, streamlining judicial processes.
In sensitive cases, video conferencing has emerged as a reliable medium for ensuring the safety and convenience of witnesses, providing a secure alternative to in-person testimonies. Over the past year, from January 15, 2025, to January 16, 2026, an impressive 89,136 witness statements were recorded through video conferencing in Haryana's district courts. The presence of doctors, forensic experts, other specialists, police and jail officials, as well as general witnesses, is no longer hindered by geographical distance, security concerns, or time constraints, facilitating smoother legal proceedings.
Independent Study Confirms Positive Impact of New Criminal Laws
To assess the administrative, environmental, and economic benefits derived from the effective implementation of the three new criminal laws, a detailed study was conducted by an independent agency. The results were highly positive, highlighting the multifaceted advantages of digital integration in the justice system. A source involved in the study revealed that the introduction of the e-challan system alone saved approximately 6,704 A4 reams of paper in just four months. This conservation effort resulted in a reduction of 8,165 kilograms of CO₂ emissions and the preservation of 315,106 litres of water, showcasing significant environmental benefits.
Economic and Environmental Savings from Digital Systems
Similarly, the e-summons system saved around 3,240 reams of paper, leading to the conservation of 152,306 litres of water and 2,700,466 litres of fuel. The estimated monetary value of these savings is ₹25.65 crore, an achievement accomplished within just six months of implementation. Meanwhile, the extensive use of video conferencing in judicial proceedings resulted in savings of approximately 122,400 litres of fuel over seven months, with an estimated cost saving of ₹1.16 crore. These figures underscore the economic and ecological advantages of transitioning to digital platforms in legal administration.
The reforms spearheaded by DGP Ajay Singhal and the Haryana police department demonstrate a proactive approach to modernizing the justice system. By leveraging technology such as video conferencing, e-challans, and e-summons, the state is not only enhancing efficiency and accessibility but also contributing to environmental sustainability and fiscal responsibility. This initiative sets a precedent for other regions to follow in adopting digital solutions to overcome traditional challenges in judicial processes.
