HC seeks reply on live streaming of court hearings in two-week time
JODHPUR: The Rajasthan High Court on Monday issued notices on a public interest litigation seeking the court’s proceedings be live-streamed on a platform easily accessible by the public at large in matters related to prevalent Covid-19 situation in Rajasthan.
The division bench of Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Devendra Kachhawaha has asked the high court registrar general and principal law secretary to file replies in two weeks on the petition filed by an advocate, Arpit Gupta.
He told the court that the right to know and receive information is a facet of Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution and for which reason the public is entitled to witness court proceedings involving issues having an impact on the public at large or a section of the public, as the case may be.
Gupta further told that in the present scenario wherein the pandemic has taken a toll on lives of citizens, live streaming of the important petitions pertaining to Covid-19 situation will help in a great way to the stakeholders and the general public at large and will reduce the public’s reliance on second hand information.
According to petition, the live streaming of proceedings shall allow the public at large to gather information regarding the steps and actions being taken on behalf of the state and other nodal authorities and further shall also allow access to information of crucial importance relating to status of medical and health infrastructure, vaccination and steps taken to ensure availability of oxygen and what efforts are being made on behalf of the State of Rajasthan in dealing with the same.
In view of the ongoing Covid-19 situation, the high court on Monday extended all interim orders expiring between 25 to May 28 till next date to be announced.
Personal presence of accused persons in appeals or revisions shall stand exempted till May 28, according to a notification issued by the registrar general of the court.
The principal seat of the Rajasthan High Court and its bench at Jaipur shall remain closed for summer vacation starting from May 29 till June 27.
“Considering the prevailing situation of Covid-19 pandemic, the State Government has continued the state wide lock-down till June 8. In view of order and taking note of the overall situation, it is hereby notified that the functioning of the Rajasthan high court at Jodhpur and Jaipur bench shall be only through video conferencing from May 25 to May 28,” said the notification issued on Sunday.