Matters of National Importance Should Be Live Steamed: Senor Advocate Indira Jaising

The Supreme Court on Monday assured Senor Advocate Indira Jaising that administrative steps are being taken on the matter of live streaming of important cases.

"We permit Ms Jaising to place a comprehensive note before Secretary General so that it is taken into account when modalities of live-streaming are being formulated", the CJI Chandrachud-led bench said reportedly.

In a previous hearing, Jaising requested the court for adding links to the video hearings in the cause list itself. Jaising had also suggested allowing audio transcripts of important matters to be achieved for later access.

While supporters of the move to live stream cases see it as a progressive step towards transparency and democratisation of the justice dispensation system, some feel that the implementation must be done judiciously. 

"We run the risk of turning a sober process with a lot at stake into a reality show. Live streaming could encourage greater pandering to the gallery, especially in constitutional matters that relate to human rights, gender rights and the like. This is bound to affect the sanity and objectivity of the process," says J. Sai Deepak. Counsel, Supreme Court of India.

While guidelines on regulating live streaming are still a work in progress, the general consensus is that implementation holds the key.