'Answer To Sunlight Is More Sunlight' : CJI Says Live Streaming Shouldn't Be Stopped Due To Controversy Over Judges' Remarks

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Wednesday (September 25) said that the controversies created due to the circulation of the objectionable remarks made judges cannot be a reason to shut down the live-streaming of Court proceedings.

"Answer to sunlight is more sunlight. Not to suppress what happens in the Court. This is a very important reminder to everyone. The answer is not to close doors and shut down," CJI said.

A bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud, Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, Surya Kant and Hrishikesh Roy was hearing a suo motu case taken over the remarks made by Justice V Srishananda of the Karnataka High Court which stirred up a controversy after the video clips went viral on social media.

The bench closed the suo motu proceedings accepting the apology expressed by the judge. However, the bench made certain strong observations in its order regarding the need for judges to avoid casual remarks which are misogynistic or prejudicial to any community. Emphasising that in the electronic age, there was wide reporting of the proceedings, the bench reminded the judges to act with care and caution. 

It may be recalled that after the controversy, the Karnataka High Court issued a notification reminding the public about the rules against the unauthorised clipping and sharing of live-stream videos. Yesterday, the High Court passed an order barring the sharing of clips made from the live-stream of the court proceedings.

Also from the hearing - 'You Can't Call Any Part Of India As "Pakistan"' : Supreme Court Disapproves Of Karnataka HC Judge's Comments, Accepts Apology