NEW DELHI, Sept. 9 -- Delhi Police commissioner Satish Golchha on Monday directed all officers and personnel to physically appear before courts to record evidence in criminal trials, a move that prompted district court lawyers in the Capital to call off their strike.

In a circular issued Monday, Golchha said: "It is hereby directed that in all criminal trials, all police officers/personnel shall physically appear before the Hon'ble Courts for the purpose of deposition/evidence."

The order modified an earlier circular that had allowed "formal witnesses" to depose through video conference, a provision lawyers had strongly opposed.

The standoff had threatened to escalate, with bar leaders calling for another round of strikes this week aft...