India’s Supreme Court Allows Live-Streaming of Cases

In a landmark ruling, in a bid to enhance transparency in the judicial system of the country, India’s top court, supreme court on Wednesday (26) has decided to start live-streaming some of its cases. The new judgement is also expected to reduce overcrowding in the courtrooms.

Courts in India are open to the public but don’t permit video recording or live streaming. Hearing a litigation, a three-member judge bench at the country’s top court said, a pilot project on live-streaming would be started and developed over time.

"Live-streaming of court proceedings is manifestly in public interest," the court said in its 106-page order. In the initial stage, only a few special cases with constitutional and national significance will be live-streamed, after obtaining necessary permission from the litigants.

According to the proposed plan, the video will be streamed to screens in other areas within the court complex. The plan would later permit online live-streaming. The supreme court has also asked the Indian government to make necessary rules for the project.

Sensitive hearing, related to child abuse, and others would be excluded from live streaming. “Not all cases may be live-streamed. Certain sensitive cases like matrimonial or sexual assault cases should be excluded from the process of live streaming,” the court said.

The top court also ruled, “live-streaming shall be conducted by the supreme court with its own camera-persons or by an authorised agency. No person who is not authorised by the supreme court will be permitted to record any proceeding”.