In A First, Kerala HC Live Streams Court Proceedings Held Via Video Conferencing

The High Court of Kerala created history on Monday by live streaming the proceedings held via video conferencing.

A bench comprising Justices A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and Shaji P Chaly presided over the proceedings from their respective homes.

The bench considered nearly 30 urgent matters, including bail applications and writ petitions. The advocates attended the proceedings from their offices/residences via 'Zoom' app. The law officers of the State and Centre also attended the proceedings.

Any person could have watched the proceedings live through the 'Zoom' app. 

The Supreme Court is yet to frame modalities for live streaming of proceedings, though it had agreed for the same in July 2018. Last month, the Calcutta High Court had allowed the live streaming of the proceedings in a particular case.

A notable case considered by the bench on Monday was the Public Interest Litigation filed by the Kerala High Court Advocates Association seeking directions for removing the blockade imposed by Karnataka Government on the inter-state roads to Kerala.

The bench has requested the Advocate General of the Kerala to submit his response on the issue by joining video conferencing at 11 AM tomorrow.

The Court also initiated a suo moto case to monitor the implementation of lockdown.  

Last week, the Court had decided on suspend its operations till April 14 in view of the 21-day national lockdown imposed to arrest the transmission of COVID-19. On Saturday, the Court announced that it has made provision for hearing of urgent matters via video conferencing.