The need for live streaming of court proceedings was highlighted during the pandemic, as courts functioned on virtual platforms and citizens did not have direct access to them. In Swapnil Tripathi v. Union of India, the Supreme Court upheld live telecast of court proceedings in a move towards more transparency and in the courtroom. The Chairman of the Electronic Committee, the Supreme Court of India had formed a subcommittee to frame the model rules of live streaming. These rules have been formulated and disseminated by e Committee, Supreme Court of India to all High Courts for better implementation of live streaming of court proceedings and are available on the website of e Committee, Supreme Court of India.
The rules and procedure for live streaming of court proceedings in individual High Courts is an administrative matter of the High Court concerned which falls within the purview of those High Courts and central government has no direct role to play in the matter . As of 17.07.2023, the court proceedings have been live streamed in the High Courts of Gujarat, Guwahati, Orissa, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Patna and Madhya Pradesh, thus enabling media and other interested persons to participate in the proceedings.
This information was given by the Union Law and Justice Minister, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, in a written response to the Rajya Sabha.
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SS/RKM