Goa Gazette, No. 2526-41, 08 January 2026

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Reg. No. RNP/GOA/32/2024-2026

RNI No. GOAENG/2002/6410

Panaji, ⁰⁸th January, ²⁰²⁶ (Pausa ¹⁸, ¹⁹⁴⁷) SERIES I No. 41

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

EXTRAORDINARY

GOVERNMENT OF GOA

Department of Law & Judiciary

Law (Establishment) Division

Notification

14/10/2025/LD(Estt.) PF-I/81 Date : 07-Jan-2026

The Notification No. Rule/P.1603/Notification No. 34/2025 dated December, 2025 which has been issued by the Registrar General, High Court of Judicature at Bombay, Appellate side, is hereby published for general information of the public.

By order and in the name of the Governor of Goa.

Gajanan X. Bhonsle, Under Secretary (Estt.), Law.

Porvorim.

——————

HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

APPELLATE SIDE

NOTIFICATION

No. Rule/P.1603/Notification No. 34/2025 – The Hon'ble the Chief Justice and the Judges of the High Court of Judicature at Bombay in exercise of powers conferred under Article 225 and 227 of the Constitution of India and all other enabling provisions, are pleased to make the following rules:-

High Court of Bombay Rules for Video Conferencing for Courts (Amendment) Rules, 2025

Chapter I–Preliminary

1. These Rules shall be called the "High Court of Bombay Rules for Video Conferencing for Courts (Amendment) Rules, 2025".

i) These Rules shall apply to such courts or proceedings or classes of courts or proceedings and on and from such date as the Chief Justice may appoint.

Suggestions are welcomed on e-mail: [email protected] 2067OFFICIAL GAZETTE — GOVT. OF GOA SERIES I No. 41 (EXTRAORDINARY) 08TH JANUARY, 2026 2. Definitions.— Principal rules means the High Court of Bombay Rules for Video Conferencing for Courts 2022.

3. Renumber first line of Rule 2 of the Principal Rules as (1)

4. Insert the sub-clauses (a) & (b) in clause (i) after sub-rule (1) of Rule 2 of the Principal Rules as follows:

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 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 Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA) and Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act)".

(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 audio-visual 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 equipments are recommended for conducting proceedings by video conferencing at the Court Point and the Remote Point:

(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 centre with a 100% Disaster recovery site.

(v) the platform must offer cross-platform functionality, ensuring seamless operation across various operating systems, 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".

26. Insert clause (5.11.4) after clause (5.11.3) of sub-rule (5.11) of Rule 5 of the Principal Rules as follows:

5.11.4 a person for reading of documents in case the person to be examined is visually challenged.

27. In Rule 6 of the Principal Rules, insert the words after the words Video Conferencing "and other modes of audio–visual electronic communication:"

28. Existing rule 6.1 be substituted as "Any party to the proceeding, including a Public Prosecutor or a witness, save and except where the proceedings are initiated at the instance of the Court, may make a request for video conferencing in the form prescribed in Schedule – II to these rules".

29. Insert clauses (6.1.1) & (6.1.2) after sub-rule (6.1) of Rule 6 of the Principal Rules as follows:

6.1.1 In civil cases, the court may, at its discretion or on request of any of the parties, initiate process for hearing of any case through video conferencing and other modes of audio-visual electronic communication.

6.1.2 An advocate may appear from Advocate's remote point for making submissions or for examination of witnesses.

30. In Rule 8 of the Principal Rules, insert the words after Examination of persons "and witnesses through video conferencing and other modes of audio-visual electronic communication."

31. In sub-rule (8.8) of Rule 8 of the Principal Rules, insert the words "read over and explain the evidence recorded to the witness and" between the words "The Court shall" and "obtain the signature"

32. Insert the clause (8.16.1) after sub-rule (8.16) of Rule 8 of the Principal Rules as follows:

8.16.1 If the Court thinks fit, the required person may be permitted to connect through video conferencing or other modes of audio-visual electronic communication from the place of his residence or work:

Provided that evidence of a witness shall be recorded only from the designated place, except in situation hereinafter provided.

33. Insert the sub-rule (8.17) after sub-rule (8.16.1) of Rule 8 of the Principal Rules as follows:

8.17 Where the Court at any stage of the proceeding is satisfied that evidence of a witness or examination of a person or an accused cannot be effectively recorded electronically, it shall record the same in writing and may decline to examine such witness or person or accused through video conferencing or audio-visual communication.

34. In sub-rule (9.1) of Rule 9 of the Principal Rules, insert the words "through the designated video conferencing software or official e-mail," between the words "Remote Point electronically" and "including through"

35. In sub-rule (9.2) of Rule 9 of the Principal Rules, insert the words "through the designated video conferencing software or official e-mail," between the words "Court Point electronically" and "including through"

36. In sub-rule (12.1) of Rule 12 of the Principal Rules, insert the words "or other modes of audio- visual electronic communication" at the end of existing sub-rule.

37. Sub-rule 17.1 and 17.2 be re-numbered as Rule 18 and 19 respectively. After the Rule 19 so re- numbered insert the following as Rule 20:

"20. Practice directions.— The Chief Justice may from time to time, issue practice directions for effective implementation of these rules".

38. Insert the four clauses in SCHEDULE - I of the Principal Rules as follows:

11. Advocates, Required Persons, parties in person and other participants shall keep their microphones muted till they are called upon to make submissions.

12. Background noise, unnecessary movements, and interruptions must be minimized to maintain the decorum of judicial proceedings.

13. The use of offensive language, disrespectful behavior, or non-compliance with judicial instructions may lead to immediate removal from the session and potential legal consequences.

14. Only court have the discretion to mute or remove any participant violating these conduct rules.

HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE

AT BOMBAY

Swapnil C. Khati Date: 22nd December, 2025.

Registrar General

——————

Notification

14/10/2025/LD(Estt.)PF-I/96 Date : 07-Jan-2026

The Notification No. Rule/P.1603/Notification No. 35/2025 dated December, 2025 which has been issued by the Registrar General, High Court of Judicature at Bombay, Appellate side, is hereby published for general information of the public.

By order and in the name of the Governor of Goa.

Gajanan X. Bhonsle, Under Secretary (Estt.) Law.

Porvorim.

——————

HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

APPLELLATE SIDE

NOTIFICATION

No. Rule/P.1603/Notification No. -35/2025.— In exercise of powers conferred under sub-rule (i) of Rule 1 for "High Court of Bombay Rules for Video Conferencing for Courts (Amendment) Rules, 2025", the Hon'ble the Chief Justice appoint 22nd December, 2025 to be the date from which the "High Court of Bombay Rules for Video Conferencing for Courts (Amendment) Rules, 2025", shall come into force and applicable to all proceedings and Courts in the State of Maharashtra, Goa and Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, including Family Courts, Labour Courts, Industrial Courts, Co- operative Courts, Co-operative Appellate Courts, Motor Accident Claims Tribunals and School Tribunals.

HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE

AT BOMBAY

Swapnil C. Khati Date: 22nd December, 2025.

Registrar General

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