[COVID 19] Plea In Supreme Court To Expedite Introduction Of Live Streaming Of Court Proceedings [Read Petition]

Asserting the emergent need to provide the facility of live streaming in light of the restricted court proceedings due to COVID-19 pandemic, Govindacharya submitted,

"There are about 60,000 cases pending before the Hon'ble Supreme Court. Restricting the functioning on account of unforeseen events and situations like COVID-19, Court puts a huge toll on the pendency. Thus, it is clear that the Court needs to have adequate systems in place to continue with dispensation of justice, at a time when the public health emergency can last for months."

The move will also ensure crowd management and guard public health, the Petitioner submitted while pointing out the recent contraction of Swine Flu by six judges of the top court.

Inter alia, it was submitted that the application for live streaming had been mentioned before the CJI on numerous occasions but in vain.

"The Court's action of not proceeding with live streaming, which is necessary for judicial reforms, does not enhance the confidence of the general public in the judiciary," the Petitioner submitted.

The Petitioner added, that the top court had itself recommended live streaming of court proceedings in Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC) &Ors. v. Secretary General &Ors., (2018) 10 SCC 639. However, no action was taken against non-implementation of its own order.

It was further pointed out that during the hearing of the Ayodhya land title dispute case, the Petitioner had moved an application seeking live streaming of the proceedings. Putting the petition on hold the, the top court had asked the Registry to apprise it with how much time was required to make the system operational. While the judgment in the Ayodhya case was pronounced in November last year, the Petitioner said, he was yet to receive a copy of the Registry's report on the subject.

It has been asserted that live streaming of court proceedings will also allow dissemination of information to the widest possible audience and will help in ensuring speedy dispensation of justice by reducing unwarranted adjournments, sought due to inability of a party to appear in person.

That apart, the Petitioner also submitted that there are a number of other issues of judicial reforms that need to be addressed by the Supreme Court on priority. Talking about the present Collegium system, the Petitioner said,

"The Hon'ble Supreme Court while holding National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014 as unconstitutional, in Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Assn. v. Union of India, (2016) 5 SCC 1 said, "the Collegium System needs to be improved requiring a "glasnost" and a "perestroika", and hence the case needs to be heard further in this regard." However, years have gone by and the matter is still pending before the Hon'ble Court, as has been stated by the Government before Parliament."

The Petitioner will be represented by Advocates Gaurav Pathak and Sachin Mittal.

It is pertinent to note that pursuant to a meeting between the CJI and few judges of the Supreme Court on Sunday evening, Justice DY Chandrachud assured that the Supreme Court will introduce court proceedings vide video conferencing.

He assured,

1. Very soon the 'people to people' contact will be reduced by introducing court proceedings vide video conference.

2. Separate rooms for the counsel for each of the parties will be made available in the Supreme Court Premises.

3. Any lawyer has to only download a simple application and activate court proceedings vide video conference, that can be conducted from his office.

4. That once, the court proceedings commence vide video conference, there would be smart televisions in both the press lounge for the convenience of the journalists.

5. That e-filings can be made any time of the day i.e., 24/7.

6. The court proceedings and filing procedures will soon go digital and paperless.

7. That SCAORA will be consulted before the launch of the virtual court rooms and e-filings

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