In Brief
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court issued emergency directions authorizing courts nationwide to conduct proceedings via video conferencing. The Court held that the term 'evidence' includes electronic evidence, and video conferencing may be used to record evidence with parties' mutual consent. Under Article 142, the Court authorized the Supreme Court and High Courts to adopt video conferencing technologies to ensure continuous justice delivery while maintaining social distancing. High Courts were empowered to determine modalities suited to their jurisdictions, and district courts must follow their respective High Court's directives. The directions applied until further orders.
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