Jammu, September 24:
The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, in collaboration with the Vulnerable Witness Committee established by the Supreme Court of India, conducted a “Training Programme on Conversion of Court Room into VWDC” today at the Police Auditorium, Gulshan Ground, Jammu.
Under the patronage of Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, Chief Justice of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh, and the Vulnerable Witness Committee for the Union Territory of J&K, including Justice Sanjay Dhar as Chairperson, along with members Justice Mohammad Akram Chowdhary and Justice Rajesh Sekhri, the program aimed to provide guidance to judges and other stakeholders. These stakeholders included Legal Aid Lawyers, Architects, and Engineers involved in the construction and alteration of court buildings. The training program saw participation from judicial officers of all ranks, legal aid lawyers, architects, and officers and engineering staff of the Department of Public Works (R&B), both physically and through virtual mode.
Justice Gita Mittal, former Chief Justice of the High Court of J&K and Chairperson of the Vulnerable Witness Committee, offered a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation on the conversion of courtrooms into Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centres (VWDC). She stressed that the VWDC concept was developed to address and overcome the various disadvantages and barriers faced by vulnerable witnesses in traditional courtrooms.
Justice Mittal highlighted that the guidelines set forth cover several stages, from the investigation to adjudication, with the aim of ensuring that vulnerable witnesses feel safe and comfortable while testifying. She also emphasized the necessity of creating a courtroom environment conducive to the best interests of vulnerable witnesses, both within and outside the deposition complexes, from their homes to the courtroom.
In his welcome address, Justice Sanjay Dhar, Judge of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh, and Chairperson of the Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centre Committee for the Union Territory of J&K, emphasized the vital role of Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centres as safe spaces for witnesses of vulnerable nature to testify fearlessly and without pressure. He also underscored the need to revamp existing courts to convert them into Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centres and to enhance the existing facilities in J&K.
Justice Mohammad Akram Chowdhary, Judge of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh and Member of the Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centre Committee for the Union Territory of J&K, expressed gratitude for the witnesses and their essential contributions as the eyes and ears of the justice system. He called upon stakeholders to proactively address vulnerability aspects and the unique requirements of each vulnerable witness effectively, without delay.
The program included an interactive session where participants raised queries that were satisfactorily addressed.
