Chief Justice Says Supreme Court Proceedings to travel Live Soon

New Delhi: judge of India N V Ramana has said that the live-streaming of Supreme Court proceedings may begin soon and logistics are being figured out to enable this.
“The Supreme Court is thinking of beginning live-streaming of some courts,” Justice Ramana said during the virtual launch of live-streaming of the proceedings of Gujarat supreme court . The supreme court goes live Monday.

The judge of India said currently, people get information about court proceedings through the media. “In effect, the knowledge from the courts is being filtered by agents of transmission. within the process, there’s sometimes a transmission loss resulting in misinterpretation of questions asked and observations made by the bench, thanks to the absence of context. Vested interests are wanting to amplify these misinterpretations so as to embarrass or discredit the institution,” he said.

“It is that this lack of direct access which provides space for misconceptions. The formalisation of the live streaming of court proceedings is that the best cure for the aforesaid malady. Live-streaming of proceedings is crucial for dissemination of data which may be a sacrosanct aspect of Article 19,” he said, adding that through such direct access, people can get first-hand information about the whole proceedings and therefore the opinions of the judges, “leaving little room for any mischief”.

“Although a step within the right direction, one must tread the trail with caution. At times, live streaming of proceedings may become a double edged sword. However, judges might feel the pressure of public scrutiny, which can ultimately end in a stressful environment which will not be conducive to justice dispensation. A judge must remember, albeit justice commands standing up against the favored perception, he must do so out of his commitment to the oath he took under the Constitution,” Justice Ramana said.

“A judge can’t be swayed by public opinion . Yes, with increased public gaze, he might become a topic of multiple debates, that ought to never deter him from his duty to guard the proper of 1 against the might of the many ,” he said.

The judge of India said that with the improved access, “lawyers shouldn’t follow publicity”. “…rather they need to ensure to place altogether possible efforts to guard the simplest interests of his clients. they need to always uphold and maintain the dignity of the profession,” he said.

Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice M R Shah, who hails from Gujarat, also attended the virtual launch.

Speaking on the occasion, Justice D Y Chandrachud said live-streaming of proceedings adds to transparency.

“Whether or not people have an interest during a particular case, live-streaming adds to transparency. People get to understand the judges actually work. Misconceptions regarding judges’ functioning are there. We are targeted for holidays we take,” Justice Chandrachud said.

“Live-streaming may be a necessity now. Even after pandemic ends, live-streaming would demystify court proceedings and can convey the message that courts are for people,” he added.

The Supreme Court court had earlier said the proceedings of the court be live-streamed in cases that are Constitutionally significant.

Speaking during the virtual launch, Gujarat supreme court judge Vikram Nath said, “Going live needed courage, confidence and in particular conviction. All my brother and sister judges approve live-streaming rules unanimously.”