All government and semi-government offices in Maharashtra, including public hospitals and nationalised bank branches, have been notified as 'designated places', where witnesses in criminal cases can record their statements virtually, officials said.

The move is aimed at delivering speedy justice, they said.

Witnesses will also be able to attend online court proceedings from these designated places, a senior home department official told PTI.

Last year, the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Indian Evidence Act by Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA).

Considering the changes in the system, which expects speedy justice for the victims, the Maharashtra gover

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