For cases of Constitutional importance, SC allows live streaming
A three-judge bench on Wednesday allowed live streaming of cases having Constitutional importance, the proceedings of which take place in the court of Chief Justice of India. Headed by CJI Dipak Misra, the bench comprised Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud. The apex court has directed the Centre to frame laws for this as soon as possible. Here's more.
In one of the hearings, SC noted live-streaming was necessary
The court got a series of petitions regarding live streaming. One of the petitioners was Swapnil Tripathi and another was senior lawyer Indira Jaising. After hearing the arguments, the court had reserved its verdict on August 24. The court, in one of the hearings, noted that live streaming was the need of the hour, necessary to implement the idea of open court.
Centre said live-streaming will decongest courtrooms
The government had backed the live streaming of trials and also called for setting up a special media room. The Centre opined litigants, law interns, lawyers and other visitors can watch the live feed from this room, and this would decongest the courtroom. It added this process shouldn't be followed in matrimonial cases, matters involving interests of juveniles, and cases related to national security.
Media misreporting was one of the issues touched
The bench had sought assistance from Attorney General of India KK Venugopal in this matter, who had submitted guidelines to the court. Misreporting in media was one of the issues touched upon during the hearings. Justice Chandrachud noted menace of misreporting can be curbed with live-streaming. In one hearing, CJI Misra noted it was important to record the judge's statements.
