Supreme Court Rejects West Bengal's Plea To Stop Live-Streaming Of RG Kar Case, Says Will Protect Lawyers From Online Threats

During the hearing of the Suo Motu RG Kar Case,  CJI DY Chandrachud assured that the Supreme Court will protect the lawyers if they are facing any threats or harassment for appearing in the matter.   

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the State of West Bengal, at the outset of today's hearing informed the Court of the social media threats being given to his female juniors at office. 

"We are getting threats that acid will be thrown, we will be raped (women lawyers in the case)," Sibal said expressing concern. 

The Senior Counsel complained that the live-streaming of this matter was creating problems.

"What happens when you livestream matters like this which has huge emotive implications...We are not representing the accused, we appear for the state and as soon as the court is making a comment, our reputation is getting destroyed overnight. We have 50 years of reputation!" 

"It's also about our reputation! There are posts about me "laughing", where was I laughing? This is not fair! It spreads to the women in our chamber" 

Taking note of the same, the CJI "Is there a threat to any of the women? Woman or man appearing in a matter .... alright we will take care of that " 

Referring to the decision in Swapnil Tripathi Case, Sibal urged the court to stop the live streaming of the matter considering the sensitivity involved 

The CJI however underlined that the live streaming cannot be disallowed considering that the case was a matter of public interest and hearing has to happen in the open court. 

"We will not stop the livestreaming. It is in public interest." CJI said. 

Notably in Swapnil Tripathi, the bench of then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice Chandrachud said, “Sunlight is the best disinfectant. Live-streaming as an extension of the principle of open courts will ensure that the interface between a court hearing with virtual reality will result in the dissemination of information in the widest possible sense, imparting transparency and accountability to the judicial process.” 

Other reports from today's hearing can be read here :

RG Kar Case| 'What CBI Revealed In Its Report Is Disturbing', Says Supreme Court

Junior Doctors Agree Before Supreme Court To Return To Work On West Bengal Govt Implementing Confidence Building Measures

Supreme Court Asks Wikipedia To Remove Name Of Victim In RG Kar Hospital Rape-Murder Case

RG Kar Case | 'You Can't Say Women Doctors Can't Work At Night, Your Duty Is To Provide Security' : Supreme Court To West Bengal Govt

'This Is Not A Political Forum' : Supreme Court Rebukes Applicant Who Sought WB CM Mamata Banerjee's Resignation Over RG Kar Case

Case Details : In Re : Alleged Rape and Murder of Trainee Doctor in RG Kar Medical College Hospital, Kolkata and related issues | SMW(Crl) 2/2024