Use Skype for producing accused in court, suggests HC

The Bombay high court on Tuesday suggested the Maharashtra government use Skype video call facilities instead of the present video conferencing links to reduce the cost incurred by the state on police escort for prisoners.

A division bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar and A P Bhangale was hearing a public interest litigation filed by one Shaikh Abdul Naeem, an accused in the Aurangabad arms haul case, claiming that he is not being produced in court due to lack of police escort.

On the last hearing, the prison authorities had suggested the use of VC facility for production of accused in courts.

The high court today said instead of installing LCD television sets and other gadgets for video conferencing, the government can use Skype.

"Almost all lower courts have computer facilities. All that you (government) have to do is install data connection and then Skype in them. In the long run this will be cheaper than installing LCD sets in each and every court," Justice Khanwilkar said.

The court added that installing Skype will be less expensive and the government will not incur any additional costs.

The court has directed the government to take advice from the Information Technology secretary on the issue and posted the matter for further hearing on March 14.

"Skype is compatible with 3G mobile connections these days. Then it can be easily used with broadband net connections," the court said.

Through Skype, one can make internet video and audio calls for free.