Sakina Tashrifwala
Published on: November 3, 2022 at 20:11 IST
The Supreme Court announced on Thursday that it is attempting to establish a nationwide platform for live-streaming that may be used by the High Courts as well.
This was said orally by a bench comprised of Justices DY Chandrachud and Hima Kohli while hearing a plea filed by Advocate Mathews J Nedumpara seeking a standard platform for live-streaming.
The bench informed the petitioner that the Court is attempting to institutionalise the directives made in the Swapnil Tripathi case verdict in 2018, which authorised live-streaming of Court hearings.
“In light of the Swapnil Tripathi decision, we have stated that there should be live streaming. We’re presently considering how to make it official. We are attempting to create a national infrastructure that can be used by High Courts and others “, stated Justice Chandrachud.
The judge, who will take the oath of office as the next Chief Justice of India on November 9, also requested advice from the petitioner on how to properly implement the live-streaming directives.
“You (the petitioner) indicate how it should be done. SC has some tech-savvy lawyers”, the petitioner was told by Justice Chandrachud.
The petitioner told the court that he will consult with domain experts so that suitable live-streaming procedures can be deployed across the country.
“E-streaming rules have been developed, and many High Courts have embraced them. The question now is whether there is a unified structure. You consult with some knowledgeable domain experts. I’ve also requested that my team do so “, stated Justice Chandrachud.
Last month, the Court issued notice on a petition seeking directions to retain the Supreme Court’s Copyright over live-stream videos published to YouTube.
While evaluating that petition, CJI UU Lalit stated that the Supreme Court is attempting to develop its own live-streaming platform.
The Supreme Court took the remarkable step in September of launching live streaming of hearings before the Constitution Benches.
The live-streaming was a big success, with thousands of people viewing the videos.