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New Directive Issued: Haryana mandates Lokayukta to conduct proceedings via video conferencing, aligning with central criminal laws.
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The Legal Framework: Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, promotes the use of audio-visual electronic means for official interactions.
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Supreme Court Backing: Ruling in Civil Appeal Nos. 23-24 of 2024 supports video conferencing for government officials.
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State Action: Notification dated January 31, 2025, establishes Designated Conferencing Facilities.
Chandigarh: The Haryana government has directed the Lokayukta to conduct its proceedings through video conferencing (VC), marking a significant step toward modernizing official interactions. Consequently, this move aligns with the state’s initiative to integrate audio-visual electronic means across all administrative functions, adhering to new central criminal laws and Supreme Court guidelines.
Haryana Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi issued a letter to all administrative secretaries, department heads, board/corporation managing directors, divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, sub-divisional officers, and the Registrar of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, urging strict compliance. This directive ensures seamless adoption of VC technology in Lokayukta proceedings.
The decision draws authority from the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, particularly Section 336, which governs the collection of evidence from public servants, experts, and police officers, and Section 530, which mandates the use of electronic modes for trials and proceedings. Additionally, the Supreme Court’s ruling in Civil Appeal Nos. 23-24 of 2024, titled The State of Uttar Pradesh & Others Vs. The Association of Retired Supreme Court and High Court Judges at Allahabad and Others reinforces this shift by establishing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that encourages government officials to appear via video conferencing.
