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Justice Kuldip Singh, at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, recently directed a US based NRI to depose in a Punjab court through video chat feature of apps such as WhatsApp or Skype.
The case concerns a dispute over ownership of some property between the petitioner, Mr. Sucha Singh and former Verka chairman Mr. Ajmer Singh. It was being heard by a Civil Judge (Junior Division) in Ludhiana district’s Samrala Court.
The Court had allowed video conferencing and had directed Mr. Singh to locate a local authority or approach the Indian Consulate where such facility is available, for the same. He was further directed to decide on a date which is mutually convenient to the Court and the Consulate or the Public Office and make himself available during the Court working hours in India on the said date.
However, the High Court has observed that it is inconvenient to approach a public authority due to the time difference. Given to the vitality of the presence of Mr. Sucha Singh, and his evidence, the Court ruled that Video chat Apps can be utilised for the purpose.
Therefore, it was opined that it was not necessary for Mr. Singh to approach the Consulate, and directed him to intimate the Trial Court about his availability for a video chat through one of these Apps. The same App would then be installed on any device by the Court.
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