In a significant step towards ensuring child-friendly and victim-sensitive justice delivery, Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Arun Palli, today inaugurated Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centre at District Court Complex, Jammu.
Present on the occasion were Justice Sindhu Sharma, Justice Rajnesh Oswal, Justice Rahul Bharti, Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi, Justice Rajesh Sekhri, Justice Mohd. Yousuf Wani, Justice Shahzad Azeem Judges of High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Yash Paul Bourney Member, J&K Special Tribunal, Jammu, Registrar General Mohinder Kumar Sharma of High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Ravinder Nath Watal Principal District and Sessions Judge Jammu, Registrar Vigilance Rajiv Gupta, Officers of the registry, Nirmal Kishore Kotwal Bar President along with Bar members, Judicial officers of District Court Complex, Jammu, Monika Kohli Additional Advocate General and Anil Sharma, Chief LADC Jammu.
The facility aims to prevent the secondary victimization and ensure fair, sensitive recording of evidence. This marks a significant step towards victim-centric justice delivery in the Union Territory. The Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centre has been established to provide a safe, non-intimidating and conducive environment for vulnerable witnesses, including children, victims of sexual offences and persons with disabilities, to depose before the court.
The center is equipped with modern facilities including separate waiting areas, live-link video conferencing, one-way mirrors, and child-friendly infrastructure to prevent secondary victimization during trial proceedings, in line with Supreme Court guidelines.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Justice emphasized that establishment of VWDC reflects the judiciary’s commitment towards upholding the rights and dignity of vulnerable witnesses and ensuring fair trial without fear or trauma.
