SRINAGAR: The Jammu & Kashmir Judicial Academy organized a one-day training programme on “Cyber Laws & Appreciation and Handling of Digital Evidence” for the Judicial Officers of Kashmir Province and the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The training programme was organised under the patronage of Justice Arun Palli, Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (Patron-in-Chief, J&K Judicial Academy), and under the guidance of the Chairperson and Members of the Governing Committee.
The inaugural proceedings were conducted by Sonia Gupta, Director Judicial Academy, who emphasized that the programme aimed to equip Judicial Officers with updated knowledge and practical insights on the emerging and evolving domain of cyber laws and the effective handling of digital evidence in Judicial proceedings.
The technical sessions were led by Dr. Nisheeth Dixit, an eminent cyber expert from Delhi, who highlighted the growing importance of Judicial awareness in the digital era, where cybercrime and electronic evidence increasingly shape litigation. He elaborated on recent developments in case law influencing judicial interpretation of digital evidence and discussed the legal framework governing cyber offences. Dr. Dixit explained procedures for authentication, preservation, and admissibility of electronic records and addressed the challenges faced in handling and evaluating digital evidence.
A key highlight of the session was the discussion on landmark case laws, including Sanjaysinh Ramrao Chavan vs. Dattatray Gulabrao Phalke [MANU/SC/0040/2015], where the Supreme Court ruled on the admissibility of recorded conversations. It was emphasized that without analyzing the original voice recording, translated transcriptions lack authenticity and cannot be relied upon. Dr. Dixit stressed that source and authenticity are the two crucial factors determining the evidentiary value of electronic records.
The programme featured interactive discussions, case analyses, and practical demonstrations, enabling participants to gain hands-on exposure to the complexities of digital forensics and evidence appreciation. Real-world experiences and best practices for preserving, analyzing, and presenting digital evidence in court were shared, ensuring that the sessions were not only theoretical but also practically enriching. Participants engaged enthusiastically and expressed their satisfaction with the programme’s comprehensive and insightful approach.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Sonia Gupta, who extended her gratitude to Dr. Nisheeth Dixit for sharing his expertise and to the Judicial Officers for their active participation.
She also appreciated the contributions of the Academy’s staff, whose efforts ensured the successful organization of the training programme. The session was widely acknowledged as a significant step toward strengthening Judicial capacity in addressing challenges related to cyber laws and digital evidence.
