“Virtual appearance” means the presence or participation of a person in the judicial proceedings of a court by audio-video or any other similar electronic means.

(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure or the Code of Civil Procedure or any other law for the time being in force, any court may, subject to practice directions (special or general) issued under section 5 of this Act, require proceedings by audio-video or any other electronic means. The virtual presence of the parties or their lawyers or other concerned persons or witnesses shall ensure the trial, inquiry, or hearing of the petition or appeal, or the taking of evidence, or the taking of argument, or the order of any case. order) or judgment (judgment).

(2) The Code of Criminal Procedure or, as the case may be, the Code of Civil Procedure shall be followed in respect of matters other than ensuring the virtual presence of litigants or their advocates or other persons or witnesses by audio-video or any other electronic means under sub-section (1).

If the virtual presence of a person is confirmed under section 3, the condition of his physical presence in court under the Code of Criminal Procedure, or the Code of Civil Procedure or any other law shall be deemed to be fulfilled.