SUPREME COURT OKAYS VIDEO RECORDING OF COURT HEARINGS

NEWDELHI: In a first, the Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered video recording of court hearings in at least two districts of every state and Union territory, a direction that will usher in transparency in judicial proceedings.

A bench of Justice A K Goel and Justice U U Lalit, however, said there shall be no audio recording of the arguments. The footage of the proceedings shall be kept in the custody of the high court concerned. The clippings can be released only after the HC accords its permission, the court said.

The Supreme Court’s order is a departure from its earlier stance wherein it rejected several PILs seeking video recording of court proceedings. Even on the administrative side the full court – panel comprising all the judges of SC – had failed to take a decision despite the Centre’s recommendation to introduce audio-video recording of judicial hearings.

The bench was hearing a matrimonial case where the husband petitioned the apex court seeking a direction for “audio-video recording of proceedings by the trial court to ensure fair trial to the petitioner.”

An affidavit filed by the Union Law Ministry supported installation of CCTVs and said recording of proceedings was necessary to bring transparency.