Live Streaming: Start experiment with Constitutional cases in CJI Court, AG Venugopal to SC

Attorney General for India KK Venugopal today suggested that live streaming of Supreme Court proceedings be done on an experimental basis in Constitutional cases held in the Chief Justice of India’s Court..He was assisting the Court in the petition filed by Senior Advocate Indira Jaising seeking live streaming of proceedings in Supreme Court in cases of Constitutional and public importance..Jaising agreed with the AG, but also submitted that adequate safeguards should be made to ensure that clippings of the recordings are not made and circulated, and that the same are not used for commercial purposes..The Court asked the Attorney General to give his suggestions in writing, and listed the matter for August 3..On the last date of hearing, the Bench of Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud observed that live streaming of Supreme Court proceedings was the “need of the hour”. The Court had asked Venugopal to devise guidelines on the same..The Bench then sought suggestions from members of the Bar on the issue, stating that the experiment of live streaming will begin with the Supreme Court. It was also noted that live streaming of court proceedings is effectively in furtherance of the principle of an open court..Earlier this year, Jaising had filed a PIL seeking live streaming of Court proceedings in cases that are of Constitutional and national importance having an impact on the public at large or a large number of people. The broad thrust of the petition is that, as stakeholders, the public has the right to be informed of such cases..In February this year, the Court had directed that the petitions seeking live streaming of court proceedings be furnished to the Central Agency so that the Attorney General can assist the court in the matter..Read the order below.