Soon, SC proceedings live

New Delhi, July 9

Soon, you should be able to watch live proceedings of courts sitting in your living room. Describing it as the “need of the hour”, the Supreme Court on Monday favoured live-streaming of court proceedings. A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra asked Attorney General KK Venugopal to submit a set of holistic guidelines to make it possible.

Live-streaming of proceedings could begin from court number 1 of the Supreme Court, Venugopal told the Bench, which also included Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice DY Chandrachud. He said it should be implemented after evaluating the pros and cons and it should be applicable to all courts.

There has to be “promptness” in such things, it noted during hearing of a PIL seeking live telecast of important cases, particularly Constitution Bench matters.

Venugopal supported live-streaming of court proceedings on the ground that it will bring in more transparency, benefit litigants and also reduce the rush in the court during hearing of important matters.

“It will also help the client know how many times their lawyer takes adjournments,” Justice Chandrachud said, adding it will also help spread legal literacy.

“We have already adopted a system of open courts, there was no reason why it should not be live-streamed,” the CJI said.

Petitioner senior advocate Indira Jaising said the guidelines should ensure the feed was not misused for commercial gains.

As the Bench wanted the government to provide the required mechanism, Venugopal said the government would take a policy decision once the court approved the guidelines. The court will now hear the matter on July 23.

The Supreme Court had on February 9 sought Attorney General’s assistance in deciding petitions seeking live telecast of important cases, particularly Constitution Bench matters.

The top court is already seized of a petition seeking audio-visual recording of court proceedings to usher in transparency in functioning of courts.

Video recording had started in trial courts and tribunals in several states with the help of CCTVs installed in courtrooms. The video recording was then described a precursor to bringing live court proceedings to living rooms. — TNS