The Delhi High Court has decided that witnesses in a case involving Neelu Chawla can testify through video calls. This decision was made on November 19, 2025, by Justice Girish Kathpalia.
The case started with a request to delay the proceedings because the grandmother of one of the lawyers, Mr. Karan Nagrath, had a heart attack. However, the lawyers representing the State of NCT of Delhi and others opposed this, arguing that Mr. Nagrath wasn't the main lawyer presenting the case, and the request seemed like a tactic to delay the process.
"The lawyer presenting the case is deliberately avoiding showing up to somehow get these matters delayed."
Neelu Chawla and another person involved in the case, Ranju Sayall, wanted their witnesses to testify through video calls. Initially, this request was turned down. But the High Court, referring to the Delhi High Court Rules for Video Conferencing, 2021, decided to allow it.
After some discussion, the State of NCT of Delhi and others agreed to cancel the initial orders and let witnesses be questioned through video calls. This was to make the process faster.
There was also an issue with unpaid fees ordered by the trial court. The court made it clear that these fees must be paid within a week, following a ruling from the Supreme Court.
"All the unpaid fees are to be paid within one week from today."
Justice Girish Kathpalia concluded by canceling the earlier orders and allowing the witnesses to testify through video calls, as long as the fees are paid.
This decision shows the court's willingness to use technology to make sure justice is served efficiently.
