Karnataka High Court Bars Illegal Sharing Of Videos From Live Stream Of Court Proceedings; Orders Facebook, YouTube, X To Delete Videos

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday restrained media agencies and other individuals from unauthorisedly sharing videos from the live stream of court proceedings.

A single judge bench of Justice Hemant Chandangoudar said, "Till next date respondent R6 to R8 [YouTube, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter)] are restrained from sharing live streamed videos and R9 to R13 [some media agencies] are restrained from displaying the videos on their channels. They (R6 to R8) are directed to delete the videos live streamed on channels posted in violation of rules."

The order was passed in a petition filed by the Advocates Association Bengaluru seeking a direction to the Centre to pass suitable orders restraining individuals, video-makers, media agencies etc from illegally using court proceedings of live streamed videos.

During the hearing, the Court pointed that rule prohibiting such videos is already in place. HC Registry also informed the bench about displaying a disclaimer to not use the video.

The plea was filed soon after two video clips of Justice V Srishananda of the High Court surfaced on social media, in which he was seen making objectionable remarks. In one video, he was seen referring to an area in Bangalore as "Pakistan". In another video, he was seen making objectionable remarks to a woman advocate.

Taking note of the same, Supreme Court had directed the Registrar General of the High Court to submit a report, after seeking administrative directions from the Chief Justice of Karnataka HC. That matter is scheduled for hearing tomorrow (September 25).

It is claimed that the act of the video makers and miscreants misusing the live broadcasting is highly arbitrary, illegal, perverse and unsustainable in the eyes of law.

The plea also says that trolling and live streaming of matrimonial cases is violative of Article 21 of the constitution of India and thus punitive action is called against the erring individuals.

Advocate Trivikram S appeared for the Association.

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