Gujarat High Court Chief Justice Virtually Launches Formal Witness Deposition Centres In All Districts

The Gujarat High Court Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal, on Thursday, virtually inaugurated the Formal Witness Deposition Centres (FWDCs) at all District Headquarters across the state. 

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Justice Agarwal said that the initiative was a step towards the High Court's commitment to judicial modernisation and reform. She added that through this initiative, 

"we have achieved one milestone in our commitment to judicial modernisation and reform. This event not only marks launching a new project but it is about reinforcing our pledge to the swift and equitable administration of justice for every individual in our state. Our judicial institutions have a duty to evolve with time. The new criminal laws provide us with clear directive and the inter-operable criminal justice system gives us the favour. The formal witness deposition centers inaugurated today are our response to the call for progress. They are the tangible manifestation of our vision for a more efficient, transparent, and technology driven judicial process," she said. 

The Chief Justice also added that the new initiative would not only help in enhancing the speed of trial but will also ease and provide convenience to witnesses, who are vital to the truth-finding process.

"This initiative not only will enhance the speed of trial but also offers a significant measure of ease and convenience to those who are vital to the truth finding process. The High Court is resolute in its mission to create a legal justice system which is not only robust but accessible to all," the judge added. 

Through the FWDC network, a witness who has been transferred or has retired and is living anywhere in Gujarat, will be able to depose from the nearest district-level FWDCs, ensuring speedy trials as well as ease of witnesses.

A press note issued by the high court states:

"In a significant move to align with the new criminal laws issued by the Government of India and to strengthen the Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS), the Gujarat High Court is pleased to announce the inauguration of Formal Witness Deposition Centres (FWDCs) at District Headquarters across the State. The virtual inauguration will take place at 5:30 PM on August 21, 2025, by Hon'ble the Chief Justice of the High Court of Gujarat with her companion Judges of the High Court of Gujarat, marking the expansion of a successful initiative aimed to streamline and ease the deposition process for formal witnesses. This initiative is a continuation of the earlier establishment of FWDCs in five major districts—Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara, and the State Capital, Gandhinagar". 

"These FWDCs represent a major step forward in modernization of Judiciary, specifically designed to streamline and ease the deposition process for formal witnesses such as Police Officers, Medical Officers, and Forensic Experts etc. By leveraging technology, the centers will facilitate use of Video Conferencing for witness depositions, thereby enhancing the speed and efficiency of trials," it adds.

The establishment of these centres shall ensure that trials are not hindered by the physical location or transfer of a formal witness, the press note adds. 

Click Here To Read/Download Press Note