Now You Can Watch Live Streaming Of Constitutional Cases From Chief Justice's Court

In order to promote transparency and accountability in the system, the Supreme Court of India on Wednesday allowed the live streaming of court proceedings, news agency ANI reported.

The decision came soon after the apex court upheld the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar Card saying that it strengthened the marginalized community though, strong data protection rules were required and will be put in place.

However, while live streaming, it is necessary to protect the dignity and rights of litigants, therefore, the court said that necessary rules that will balance the right of public and dignity of litigants will be framed soon.

Supreme Court allows live streaming of court proceedings, says, 'it will start from the Supreme Court. Rules have to be followed for this. Live streaming of court proceedings will bring accountability into the judicial system." pic.twitter.com/UAWZVV9DcA

¡ª ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2018

The SC while allowing the live webcast said, ¡°Sunlight is the best disinfectant, let people get first-hand information about what is going on in courtroom proceedings¡±, reported TOI.

Snehil Tripathi, a law student at National Law University in Jodhpur had filed a petition along with senior advocate Indira Jaising, and a Non-Governmental Organisation, ¡®?entre for Accountability and Systemic Change¡¯ on this issue.

Tripathi had sought directions for setting up live streaming rooms in the apex court wherein legal interns are granted access. The petition filed by the trio even called for the framing of requisite guidelines that will allow interns to witness the proceedings.

Photo: DNAIndia.com

Jaising in her Public Interest Litigation (PIL) had sought video-recording of proceedings on matters of national importance, the TOI reported.

A three judge bench headed by Chief Justice Of India, Dipak Misra heard the submissions filed by Jaising.

In order to avoid chaos in courtrooms and corridors, the Centre even suggested setting up a media room where the litigants, legal interns and other visitors will be allowed to watch the live feed.

On August 24, Attorney General K K Venugopal had said that the live streaming could be introduced as a pilot project in the Chief Justice of India¡¯s court on matters of constitutional importance. The affidavit also wants special measures to be put in place for differently-abled.

Photo: Stretch Internet

Though, the Centre has cautioned that the exercise must not be permitted in certain cases that would breach the litigants¡¯ right to privacy. For instance, in matrimonial cases, matters involving interests of juveniles or protection and safety of the private life of young offenders and cases involving national security might not be live streamed to protect confidential details.

The restriction on live streaming would also be applied to the security of victims, witnesses or defendants involved in rape cases and in matters where it may provoke communal sentiments, the Indian Express reported.

The government too had approved of the initiative and the centre had earlier said that the live webcast can be undertaken on trial basis only in Chief Justice Of India¡¯s court where matters of constitutional interests are heard. The video proceedings could them be made available to the public and other interested parties.