CCTVs to curb underhand dealings in Court
In Pradyuman Bisht vs. UOI, the Supreme Court pointed out that CCTV cameras are the culture of the day and promote good governance.
It directed that all Tribunals, including the ITAT, should have CCTVs with audio recording.
It, however, clarified that the footage of the CCTV Camera will not be available under the RTI and will not be supplied to anyone without permission of the concerned High Court.
Now, live streaming of court cases
In the latest move, a Supreme Court Bench, comprising of Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, has agreed in principle that live streaming of court proceedings is permissible and feasible.
Attorney General K K Venugopal suggested that the apex court may start with the CJI’s court and then extend it to the rest of the courtrooms.
The Bench has asked the learned Attorney General to submit holistic guidelines which the court may adopt.
The Court has also called for suggestions from the Bar and the litigants.
According to experts, live streaming of cases will have two advantages.
First, it will enable the litigant to know whether his advocate argued the case properly and put forth all the points to the Bench.
Second, it will curb the tendency of the Bench to steamroll counsel and conduct hearings in an abrupt manner. The judges will feel compelled to patiently listen to counsel and diligently note down their submissions.
Example of live streaming of court cases
There is a channel called “Law & Crime Network Live Stream” which does live streaming of Court cases.
Also, for the first time in court history, the trial of the Jayalalitha case was streamed live.
In a major move towards live telecast of Supreme Court and HC as well as trial court proceedings, Attorney General K K Venugopal said the experiment must start soon from SC.
— Times of India (@timesofindia) July 9, 2018
A bench of CJI Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud said live streaming of court proceedings will help litigant instantaneously know what happened to his case and how his/ her advocate presented the case.
— Times of India (@timesofindia) July 9, 2018
Supreme Court seeks suggestions from the bar association members on this issue of live streaming of court proceedings. It said the experimentation will begin with SC. The bench says it will devise guidelines for it
— Times of India (@timesofindia) July 9, 2018
#JUSTIN | Live telecast of SC proceedings appears to be the need of the hour and there must be promptness in thinking about it: Supreme Court
— Times of India (@timesofindia) July 9, 2018
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