Bengaluru: According to a gazette notification issued by the State Government on Thursday December 30, the Karnataka High Court’s proceedings, as well as those of other courts and tribunals within its jurisdiction, will be streamed live starting January 1.
There will be a 10-minute delay in streaming, which may alter depending on the court’s directive.
It was based on directives made in two PILs, the Karnataka Rules on Live Streaming and Recording of Court Proceedings, 2021, was issued.
According to sources, the High Court began livestreaming of proceedings as a pilot on May 31, 2021, when hearings in two PILs relating the Karwar port development project were streamed live. Other PILs involving lakes were also streamed live.
However, there are certain exceptions. Cases involving matrimonial disputes, sexual offences, IPC Section 376 proceedings, gender-based violence, POCSO Act, Juvenile Justice Act, in-camera proceedings, cases that could cause community enmity, evidence recording, cross-examination, and nonpublic discussions between advocates are all on the list. Petitioners can also file an objection to cases being broadcast live online.
Discussions among judges, instructions from judges to Administrative staff, notes collected by judges and prepared by advocates, and communication that is not a submission exchanged between the advocate and the court are also off the list. During livestreaming, personal information such as parties’ dates of birth, home addresses, identity card numbers, bank account numbers, and personal information of close relatives, witnesses, and other participants will be deleted or muted.
Only an authorised person or entity may record, distribute, and/or broadcast livestreamed proceedings or archival data. Under the Indian Copyright Act of 1957 and the Information Technology Act of 2000, any violation is punishable.
