Indian govt for live streaming court hearings

In a ground-breaking move to bring in more transparency in judiciary, the Indian government today recommended its apex court to live stream court proceedings.

A Supreme Court bench, comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said suggestions will be given to the attorney general for formulating holistic guidelines for live-streaming of court proceedings, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

The apex court of India on May 3 sought a response from the government to pleas seeking live streaming, video recording or transcribing of judicial proceedings in courts.

The attorney general had earlier told the court that live streaming of court proceedings was an accepted practice in various countries.

The Indian SC had last year allowed the installation of CCTV recording with audio in trial courts and tribunals in every state of the country.

A petition, filed by a law student, also sought a direction for the setting up of live streaming rooms on the apex court premises and granting access to legal interns.

The plea, filed by Swapnil Tripathi, a student of the prestigious National Law University in Jodhpur, asked for requisite guidelines to facilitate witnessing of proceedings for the interns.