Breaking: SC Allows All Journalists And Media Persons To Carry Mobile Phones Inside Courtrooms [Read Circular]

The Supreme Court has decided to permit non-accredited journalists to carry mobile phones inside its court rooms.

As per a communication issued by Assistant Registrar Dr. Sushil Kr. Sharma, Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra has allowed the request, facilitating reporting by such media persons.

The Circular states: “…Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India has been pleased to allow the Media Persons/ Journalists, who have been issued six months passes by the Registry, to carry mobile phones inside the Court Rooms on silent mode and that the Deputy Registrar (Public Relations) will endorse suitably on the passes that the person carrying Mobile Phone be allowed inside the Court Room.”

The communication, however, warned, “It has been directed that a cell phone creating any disturbance/ nuisance inside Court Room will be confiscated by the Court Master and handed over to the Additional registrar (Security).”

The decision comes more than a month after the Apex Court allowed accredited media persons to carry mobile phones inside court rooms. This was after several journalists had taken up the issue with the CJI, as until now only lawyers were allowed to carry mobile phones inside court rooms, thereby being able to live-tweet sessions.