SARGODHA: The introduction of Video Conference System (VCS) to conduct proceedings of criminal cases in the district would not only enable courts to deliver speedy justice, but also ensure security of the accused as well as witnesses in trials of sensitive nature.

District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Abdul Nasir said this while inaugurating the VCS in the district judicial complex.

He said the new system would also enable courts to record evidence of witnesses living abroad or unable to attend case proceedings due to some physical inability.

However, he said, the judge conducing the trial would be present with counsel of both parties in the court, and representative of both the court and the accused or witness would be present on other end and both parties would be able to see each other.

He said if jail authorities were unable to produce an accused in the court, his or her attendance could be marked through the VCS as well.

The judge added that the video trail would help avoid occurrence of untoward incidents during trials of hardened criminals and condemned prisoners.

Similarly, he said, any witness having security concerns because of threats from criminals would be able to record his or her statement through the video system without any fear.

Because of the VCS both the jail authorities and the accused would be relieved from the agony they had to suffer for appearing in the courts, he added.

“We are heading towards facilitating the people in e-filing of their complaints,” he said and added that to fully benefit from the system it was necessary to link all courts with the VCS so that speedy justice could be ensured.

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2016