PRAYAGRAJ, Sept. 18 -- The Allahabad high court has directed the director general of police (DGP) to make audio-video recording of witness statements mandatory for investigation officers (IOs) in the state, observing that such a step would make criminal investigations more transparent and fair.

Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal passed the order while hearing a dowry related bail application when the IO, who was present before the court, admitted that he had not prepared an audio-video recording while recording the first informant's statement under section 180 Bhartiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

The court noted that section 180(3) BNSS, read with Rule 20(1) of the BNSS Rules, 2024, permits an investigating officer to record a witness'...