The Supreme Court has approved a new protocol governing cases in which litigants appear personally to argue their matters, deciding that such proceedings will neither be live-streamed nor permitted to be recorded.
The decision was taken by the Full Court at its meeting on Wednesday. Under the revised protocol, petitioners who choose to argue their own cases will be offered the option of appearing through virtual mode. Those who insist on appearing physically before the court will be subject to the newly approved conditions.
Decision Follows Courtroom Disruption
The move comes days after a disruption during proceedings before a bench of Justices K V Viswanathan and Alok Aradhe on July 10. The petitioner, Prabal Pratap, interrupted the hearing by shouting at the judges, throwing papers inside the courtroom and using abusive language against the Chief Justice of India before being removed by security personnel.
Despite the incident, the bench chose not to initiate action against him. In its order, the court observed that the petitioner, instead of presenting his case, made incoherent and unparliamentary remarks. Taking note of his condition, the bench decided not to proceed against him.
Video clips of the courtroom incident were later circulated widely on social media.
Push To Reduce Pending Cases
At the same meeting, the Full Court also resolved that Supreme Court judges would participate in the ongoing Samadhan Samaroh, which will conclude with a Special Lok Adalat scheduled for August 21, 22 and 23.
As part of measures to reduce the court’s backlog, the judges decided that around 100 groups of connected matters that are ready for final hearing will be taken up on a priority basis. According to the court, disposal of these bunch matters is expected to result in the closure of 9,177 pending cases. These matters will be listed before appropriate benches for out-of-turn hearings.
Once those cases are disposed of, the court plans to take up the oldest cases that are pending after notice on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Committee To Review Cause List
The Full Court also resolved to simplify the Supreme Court’s Cause List and introduce greater uniformity in the manner cases are taken up. For this purpose, a committee of judges will be constituted to examine the existing system and submit recommendations.
