In the wake of COVID 19 magistrate can authorize first remand of accused via video conferencing in some exceptional circumstances despite the Bar under proviso (b) of sec 167 (2) Crpc .

For the first time , a magistrate can remand an accused through video conferencing if need be in exceptional circumstances . Karnataka high court , the bench of chief justice Abhay Oka and justice S Vishwajeet Shetty said that it depends on the facts of the case and necessity to the court for the same . 

The ruling was made during the hearing of Suo – motto petition taken up by the court while addressing the issues that could be faced by trial court’s during partial functioning of courts which has commenced since June 1 .