Protection of accused persons through virtual appearance and legal representation

Apprehensions regarding personal safety or local hostility voiced by an accused husband seeking a case transfer do not justify shifting the trial away from the proper local jurisdiction. Adequate legal mechanisms exist under the criminal procedure code to safeguard the accused without disrupting the trial venue or prejudicing the complainant. An accused person facing trial can seek statutory permission to appear through a designated counsel or participate via video conferencing during the routine pendency of the case. If specific threats or genuine safety concerns arise when personal physical presence becomes indispensable, the accused is at liberty to apply for adequate police protection from the trial magistrate. Such protective measures must be favorably considered by the magistrate to ensure a safe and fair trial environment. Thus, balancing the safety of the accused with the convenience of the complainant obviates the need for arbitrary inter-district case transfers. (Prasanna Kasini v. The State of Telangana & Anr. | 2026 INSC 30)