In Brief
This Supreme Court judgment addresses the use of videography in police investigations and clarifies the admissibility of electronic evidence. The Court held that a party not possessing the device that produced an electronic document cannot be required to produce a certificate under Section 65B(4) of the Indian Evidence Act, and such procedural requirements can be relaxed in the interests of justice. The judgment approves a phased national implementation plan for crime scene videography, starting with capacity building and pilot projects, followed by gradual rollout across major cities and districts. The Court emphasized that videography strengthens criminal investigations and enhances justice delivery while maintaining authenticity safeguards. A Central Oversight Body was established to oversee implementation with funding support and compliance by July 2018."
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