(i) (a) “Advocate’s remote point” means a place from where an advocate or advocates may appear through a live link and shall include advocate’s chamber or office or a place within the precincts of a Court so notified by the Principal Judge of the Court;
(i) (b) “Audio-video electronic means” shall include use of any communication device for the purposes of video conferencing, recording of processes of identification, search and seizure 2 महाारााष्ट्र शाासन रााजपत्र, असााधाारण, भााग चाार-क, नोोव्हेंंबर २८, २०२५/अग्रहाायण ७, शकेे १९४७ or evidence, transmission of electronic communication and for such other purposes and by such other means as the State Government may, by rules provide:
5. In clause (ii) of sub-rule (1) of Rule 2 of the Principal Rules, for the words “or any other law in force” substitute the words with “or the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023) or any other law for the time being in force”.
6. Insert the sub-clauses (v)(a) & (v)(b) after clause (v) of sub-rule (1) of Rule 2 of the Principal Rules as follows:
(v) (a) “Court Room” means the place or room enclosed space in which court proceeding are held;
(v) (b) “Designated Place” means any place designated by the State Government by notification in the Official Gazette, as per the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita,2023 or any other law for the time being in force.
(The Government of Maharashtra has issued notification 30.10.2024 specifying the places for the purposes of section 265(3), 266(2) and 308 of the BNSS)
7. In clause (vii) of sub-rule (1) of Rule 2 of the Principal Rules, for the word “provided” substitute the word “approved” and insert the words “or other communication by way of audio-video electronic means” at the end of the clause.
8. Insert the sub-clause (viii)(a) after clause (viii) of sub-rule (1) of Rule 2 of the Principal Rules as follows:
(viii) (a) “High Court” means the High Court of Bombay;
9. In clause (ix) of sub-rule (1) of Rule 2 of the Principal Rules for the words “by remote communication using technology to give evidence and be cross examined” substitute the words with “by use of video conferencing or audio-video electronic means”.
10. In clause (x) of sub-rule (1) of Rule 2 of the Principal Rules, for the word “is” substitute the word with “means” and for the word “video” substitute the word with “live” and insert the words “and includes designated place from where submission may be made before the Court but does not include Advocate’s remote point” at the end of the clause.
11. In clause (xi) of sub-rule (1) of Rule 2 of the Principal Rules, for the words “Remote Point” substitute the words with “designated place or Advocate’s remote point”.
12. In clause (xii)(a) of sub-rule (1) of Rule 2 of the Principal Rules, for the word “the” substitute the word with “a” and insert the words “as a witness, complainant or otherwise;” at the end of the clause.
13. In clause (xii) (b) of sub-rule (1) of Rule 2 of the Principal Rules, for the word “the” substitute the word with “a” and insert the words “including an accused” after the word “person”.
14. In clause (xii)(c) of sub-rule (1) of Rule 2 of the Principal Rules, delete the words “who intends to examine a witness”.
15. In clause (xii)(d) of sub-rule (1) of Rule 2 of the Principal Rules, insert the words “including victim” after the word “person”,
16. In clause (xii)(e) of sub-rule (1) of Rule 2 of the Principal Rules, insert the words “or other modes of audio-video electronic means” at the end of the clause
17. Insert two sub-rules (2) and (3) and sub-clause (3)(i) after sub-rule (1) (xiii) of Rule 2 of the Principal Rules as follows:
(2) The words and phrases used but not defined herein shall bear the same meaning as assigned to them in the concerned High Court Rules, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS): Bharatiya Sakshya Adhanayam 2023 (BSA) and Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act)”.
महाारााष्ट्र शाासन रााजपत्र, असााधाारण, भााग चाार-क, नोोव्हेंंबर २८, २०२५/अग्रहाायण ७, शकेे १९४७ 3
(3) Construction of references-
(i) Unless the context requires otherwise, any reference to the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 or the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 shall include reference to corresponding provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaaya Sanhita, 2023. Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 or the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 respectively.
18. In clause (i) of Rule 3 of the Principal Rules, insert the words “or audio-electronic communication” after the word “facilities” and insert the words - original, appellate, revisional conducted by the Court including but not limited to examination of complainant and/or witnesses, recording of evidence, production of accused in judicial custody or remand except for the first appearance / production which requires physical presence, framing of charges, recording of plea, plea bargaining, production of accused during recording of evidence, examination of accused, pronouncement of judgment or order. Provided that an accused may be examined electronically, with signature verification required within three working days” at the end of the clause.
19. In clause (ii) of Rule 3 of the Principal Rules, insert the words “and other modes of audiovisual electronic communication between the words “video conferencing” and “shall be”.
20. In clause (iii) of Rule 3 of the Principal Rules, insert the word “BNSS” between the works “code of Criminal Procedure” and “Contempt of Courts Act, 1971” and insert the word “BSA” between the words “Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (abbreviated hereafter as the Evidence Act)” and “Information Technology Act, 2000 (abbreviated hereafter as the IT Act)”.
21. In clause (iii) of Rule 3 of the Principal Rules, insert the following as clause (iii-a) after the existing clause (iii) - (iii-a) Subject to rule 12.2, Courts shall use only the designated video software and such secure video conferencing platform equipped with end-to-end encryption to protect data and privacy, as may be approved by the High Court.
22. In clause (vi) of Rule 3 of the Principal Rules, insert the words “Unless expressly permitted by the Court, no person, either at Court point or at designated place or at remote point or Advocate’s remote point, shall record or publish the proceedings conducted by video conferencing or other modes of audio-visual electronic communication” before the existing provision.
23. Substitute Rule 4 of the Principal Rules as follows:
4. (1) Facilities recommended for Video Conferencing
(i) Each courtroom should be equipped with a video conferencing facility to enable seamless connectivity with stakeholders. This integration will eliminate the need to move to a separate dedicated room for virtual hearings, ensuring efficiency, saving time, and enhancing judicial proceedings.
(ii) A dedicated and exclusive video conferencing center should be established promptly at each district and Tehsil level.
(iii) A dedicated space for video conferencing within police stations, prisons, prosecution offices, forensic departments, and other designated places.
The following equipment’s are recommended for conducting proceedings by video conferencing at the Court Point and the Remote Point:
Computer Desktop and Laptop Network and Internet Connectivity High-Speed internet Connection (Minimum 50 Mbps)- Ensures seamless video transmission without lag;
Backup Internet Connection A secondary connection to prevent disruptions:
Dedicated LAN/Wi-Fi Setup Ensures stable and secure connectivity;
भााग चाार-क-६०—२ 4 महाारााष्ट्र शाासन रााजपत्र, असााधाारण, भााग चाार-क, नोोव्हेंंबर २८, २०२५/अग्रहाायण ७, शकेे १९४७ Computer Desktop and Laptop Video Equipment High-Resolution Cameras (Full HD/4K) To capture clear video feeds of participants:
Adjustable and Multiple Camera Angles Enables focusing on the judge, lawyers, accused, or witnesses:
Audio Equipment Noise-Canceling Microphones Reduces background noise and ensures clear audio transmission;
High-Quality Speakers Provides clear sound output for participants;
Echo-Cancellation and Acoustic Treatment - Enhances audio clarity by minimizing reverberation;
Display and projection Equipment Large Display Screens (LED/Projectors)- For clear visibility of remote participants.
Multiple Screen Setup (Optional) – Allows simultaneous viewing of different participants Software Encryption Standards and End-to-End Encrypted Video Conferencing Software - Ensures secure communication;
Firewall and VPN Protection - Prevents unauthorized access:
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for Users - Ensures identity verification;
Secure Login Credentials for Each Session Limits access to authorized personnel;
Recording and Documentation Court-Approved Recording Mechanism documentation of hearings;
Allows secure Transcription Services Automated/manual transcription of court proceedings;
Cloud or Local Storage Options Secure storage for recorded sessions, IT Support and Maintenance On-Site Technical Team Ensures quick resolution of technical issues;
24/17 Remote IT Support Provides assistance for troubleshooting:
Regular Equipment Maintenance: Ensures uninterrupted functionality Power Backup Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) System - Prevents power outages from disrupting proceedings;
Backup Generators - For prolonged power failures, etc.
(2) The designated video conferencing software to be approved by High Court shall facilitate following minimum requirements:-
(i) an online, real-time collaboration software with features like video, voice, screen sharing, document sharing, presentation, recording etc.
(ii) the solution should have a whiteboard for flashing messages and recording meetings or sessions.
(iii) the complete access log of the different users with extended reports, including IP/ Device details/ Application details, should be provided with each meeting room.
(iv) the platform should be hosted on an India-based data center with a 100% Disaster recovery site.
महाारााष्ट्र शाासन रााजपत्र, असााधाारण, भााग चाार-क, नोोव्हेंंबर २८, २०२५/अग्रहाायण ७, शकेे १९४७ 5
(v) the platform must offer cross-platform functionality, ensuring seamless operation across various operating systems, ems, including Windows, Linux, macOS, IOS etc., to accommodate diverse technology ecosystems of all participants and guarantee a consistent user experience regardless of the operating system used.
(vi) the platform must be scalable to multi point connectivity with 500 user logins at a time.
(vii) the platform must provide private and confidential Breakout rooms: between multiple users,
(viii) the platform must be capable of synchronizing and scheduling with cause list of cases by advocates with waiting lobby and automatic pulling according to the cause list;
(ix) the platform must provide master control facility at Court’s end, recording and archiving facility at court point, server or cloud,
(x) the platform must provide audit trail facility of the proceedings and also provision of a firewall.
24. In sub-rule (5.4) of Rule 5 of the Principal Rules, insert the words “BNSS 2023 (Section 110 & Chapter 8) and” between the words “the provisions of the” and “Comprehensive Guidelines”.
25. In sub-rule (5.9) of Rule 5 of the Principal Rules, insert the words “or other audio-visual electronic communication” between the words “video conferencing” and “requires”.