The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition calling for the widespread implementation of live streaming of its court proceedings. The court cited the premature nature of the request, given the current phased introduction of the initiative and ongoing internal discussions.
Justice Sanjeev Narula presided over the case, highlighting that the high court is actively working through the logistical and infrastructural hurdles involved in broadening the live streaming service. Currently, this facility is selectively available and limited to only two courtrooms, reflecting a cautious and measured approach to its expansion.
The petitioner had argued that extending the live streaming to include the recording of proceedings would prevent misleading submissions by advocates and enhance judicial transparency. However, the court noted that a comprehensive rollout of live streaming across all courtrooms is impractical at present due to technical constraints and the significant development of IT infrastructure required.
Justice Narula stressed that rushing the implementation without proper preparations could jeopardize the quality and security of the proceedings. “Imposing rigid timelines without regard to technical challenges and resource allocation would not be prudent,” he stated.
Regarding the petitioner’s request to record certain proceedings before a division bench, the court pointed out that the current live streaming mechanism, operating on a case-by-case basis, does not permit such recordings. The rules under the ‘High Court of Delhi Rules for Video Conferencing for Courts, 2021’ specifically prohibit the recording of proceedings via video conferencing, underscoring privacy concerns and the potential for misuse.
The court also emphasized that adjustments to recording procedures are technical issues best managed by the court’s IT and administrative teams. These teams possess the necessary expertise to ensure that any changes comply with legal standards and maintain operational efficiency.
