Arun Palli on Tuesday inaugurated the Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centre (VWDC) at the District Court Complex Jammu in a major step towards strengthening victim-centric and child-friendly justice delivery in the Union Territory.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several judges of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, judicial officers, members of the Bar and senior legal officials.
Among those present were Sindhu Sharma, Rajnesh Oswal, Rahul Bharti, Moksha Khajuria Kazmi and other members of the judiciary and legal fraternity.
The Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centre has been established to provide a secure, non-intimidating and supportive environment for vulnerable witnesses, including children, victims of sexual offences and persons with disabilities, to depose before the court without fear or trauma.
Officials said the centre has been equipped with modern facilities such as separate waiting areas, live-link video conferencing systems, one-way mirrors and child-friendly infrastructure to prevent secondary victimization during trial proceedings.
The facility has been developed in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court of India for ensuring sensitive and fair recording of witness testimonies.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Justice Arun Palli said the establishment of the centre reflects the judiciary’s commitment towards protecting the rights and dignity of vulnerable witnesses while ensuring fair trial procedures.
He emphasized that the initiative would help create a more compassionate and accessible justice system for victims and witnesses who often face emotional stress during legal proceedings.
The inauguration of the Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centre is being seen as an important step towards modernizing judicial infrastructure and promoting victim-sensitive justice delivery in Jammu and Kashmir.
