Allahabad High Court directed the UP DGP to consider making audio-video recording of witness statements mandatory.
Allahabad HC directs DGP to record statements of witnesses (file photo)
The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) to consider making audio-video recording of witness statements mandatory for investigating officers under Section 180 of the Indian Penal Code (BNSS). The court stated that this would enhance transparency in criminal investigations and make the process more impartial.
Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deswal issued this direction while hearing the bail plea of a man named Chandrakant in a dowry case from Agra district. During the hearing, the investigating officer, who appeared before the court, admitted that he had not made an audio-video recording of the first informant's statement when recording it under Section 180 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
The court questioned this and cited the relevant circulars issued by the Director General of Police. When the court inquired about the circulars issued on July 21, 2025, and August 4, 2026, the investigating officer apologized for his mistake.
The court expressed concern over the lack of recording.
The court said that it has come across several cases in which investigating officers did not make audio-video recordings of witnesses' statements despite the option available in the DGP's circular.
According to the court, in some cases, the investigating officers do not make recordings to avoid the allegation that they have written the witness's statement themselves or copied the FIR.
Recording of statement of rape victim is already mandatory
The court observed that the DGP's Circular No. 24/2025 mandated audio-video recording of the statement of the rape victim, while making recording of statements of other witnesses optional.
The High Court noted that this option is being widely used by many investigating officers. Consequently, the court asked the Director General of Police (DGP) to consider making audio-video recording mandatory for all statements recorded under Section 180 of the BNSS.
Emphasis on increasing transparency in investigation
The court also directed the DGP to communicate this directive to all investigating officers. The court believes that recording statements will make the investigation process more transparent and reliable. This can help punish the real culprit and also prevent innocent individuals from suffering due to a flawed investigation.
