No need for privacy in court, says SC(TH)

No need for privacy in court, says SC(TH)

Context

SC has given a thumbs-up for audio and video recording of court proceedings

Background

In August 2017, the Supreme Court Bench of Justices Goel and U.U. Lalit had, suggested possibilities of having audio and video recordings of proceedings in the constitutional courts the Supreme Court and the high courts

• Rationale:  Judges had stated that other countries do not consider recording of proceedings as a violation of privacy of court.
• Global example:U.S. Supreme Court has video and audio recordings of its proceedings

Previous order

• Installation of CCTVs: In Mar 17, SC had ordered that CCTVs (without audio recording) should be installed inside courtrooms and at vantage points within court complexes in at least two districts across States and Union Territories
• Location of monitor:In the chamber of the District and Session Judge concerned
• Not under the ambit of RTI: The footage of the CCTV camera will not be available under the RTI and will not be supplied to anyone without permission of the High Court concerned

Will it help?

Court proceedings have been a secret affair until now. Audio & Video recording of the proceedings is a step in the right direction to ensure transparency in the judiciary.