Jagmohan Bansal, Judge, Hon’ble Punjab And Haryana High Court Inaugurates New Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centre In Judicial Courts Complex, Moga

In a significant move towards providing safe, secure and stress free environment for vulnerable witnesses such as child witnesses, victims of sexual assault or persons with disabilities etc. to record their testimony in a safe, accessible and comfortable environment without facing accused, the newly constructed VULNERABLE WITNESS DEPOSITION CENTRE in Judicial Courts Complex, Moga was inaugurated today by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Jagmohan Bansal, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh, Administrative Judge, Sessions Division, Moga.

He was accompanied by Mrs. Neelam Arora, Learned District and Sessions Judge, Moga, Sh. Sagar Setia, Deputy Commissioner, Moga, Sh. Sartaj Singh Chahal, Senior Superintendent of Police, Moga, Sh. Amarjeet Singh, Additional District and Sessions Judge, Sh. Bishan Saroop, Additional District and Sessions Judge, Sh. Muneesh Arora, Additional District and Sessions Judge, Sh. Shiv Mohan Garg, Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mrs. Ravi Inder Kaur Sandhu, Principal Judge, Family Court, all the Judicial Officers of Moga, Sh. Sukhwinder Singh Sidhu, President, Bar Association, Moga, Sh. Sandeep Arora, President of Bar Association Nihal Singh Wala and the Members of Bar Association, Moga. During the ceremony, Hon’ble Mr. Justice, Jagmohan Bansal, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court, emphasized that the Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centres (VWDCs) provide a safe, secure and comfortable environment for vulnerable witnesses to testify in criminal proceedings. They protect vulnerable witnesses from intimidation, secondary victimization and severe trauma of facing the accused in conventional court room. “This new centre marks a mile stone in judicial infrastructure and continuous efforts are being made to strengthen the judicial infrastructure and this centre is a vital part of that mission”, the Hon’ble Mr. Justice Jagmohan Bansal remarked.

He added that newly constructed Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centre equipped with modern infrastructure, spacious vulnerable witness deposition room, well-organized waiting hall, facility of live link and all other required facilities as per the requirements of law. Keeping in mind the needs of persons with disabilities, lift and other essential amenities have also been provided. 

On this occasion, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Jagmohan Bansal Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court and other dignitaries appreciated the setting up of VULNERABLE WITNESS DEPOSITION CENTRE at Judicial Courts Complex, Moga and said that this centre will further strengthen the justice delivery system. Amongst those present on the occasion 

were Mrs. Pushpa Rani, Civil Judge (Sr. Divn.), Mrs. Mamta Kakkar, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sh. Simran Singh, CJM-cum-Secretary, DLSA, Mrs. Etu Sodhi Addl. Civil Judge (Sr. Divn.), and other Judicial Officers namely Sh. Insan, Mrs. Lavleen Sandhu, Mrs. Ashima Sharma, Mrs. Sukhpreet Kaur, Mrs. Manpreet Kaur, Ms. Parika Chauhan, all Civil Judges (Jr. Divn.), Moga, members of Bar Association, Moga and officials of Police and District Administration, Moga.