The Supreme Court of India allowed the live streaming of its court proceedings, proposed by the government of India, and directed for early rules regarding it. The apex court said live streaming of proceedings, which will start from its court, will bring accountability into the judicial system. “Sunlight is the best disinfectant,” it said while passing the order.
Earlier, GoI had backed the live streaming of trials and said it can be extended to other courts depending on the success of the pilot project.
The three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra heard the plea by advocate Indira Jaising, who hailed the court’s decision as ‘the biggest reform of the century’.
Live streaming and vedio recording of Supreme Court is the biggest judicial reform of the century, as Justice DYChandrachud says “sunshine is the biggest disinfectant “Now for all courts to be live streamed.@TheLeaflet_in @SreenivasanJain @t_d_h_nair @AnushaSoni23
— indira jaising (@IJaising) September 26, 2018
GoI had also given a suggestion of setting up of a media room where litigants, law interns, lawyers and other visitors can watch the live feed, saying that would help reduce the congestion in the courtroom and corridors. The affidavit also stated special measures for the differently-abled.
It said that, however, that the exercise must not be permitted in matrimonial cases, matters involving interests of juveniles or protection and safety of the private life of young offenders and cases involving national security.
Attorney General K K Venugopal said that in some situation, it will have to be disallowed to ensure privacy and security of victims, witnesses or defendants and also in rape cases and in matters where it may provoke communal sentiments.
