In a landmark development aimed at enhancing transparency and accessibility within the judiciary, Chief Justice Alok Aradhe of the Bombay High Court announced that significant technical arrangements are underway to begin live-streaming court proceedings.
This revelation came during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) petition that sought live-streaming of High Court proceedings to ensure greater openness and allow public access to matters of legal importance. The Bench, comprising Chief Justice Aradhe and Justice Sandeep V. Marne, acknowledged the efforts already made in this direction.
“We have made substantial progress. The Full Court has passed a resolution for the live-streaming of certain courts. Technical arrangements are being made. First five courts will be live,” the Bench noted.
The decision marks a pivotal step forward for India’s legal system, especially in the context of the Supreme Court’s own historic shift towards live-streaming Constitution Bench hearings. The Bombay High Court now joins the growing list of High Courts that have embraced this progressive shift.
Technology and Transparency: A Legal Perspective
Welcoming the development, Advocate Abhishek A Rastogi, a prominent legal expert and counsel at the Bombay High Court, emphasized the importance of technology in modernizing the judicial process.
“This is a significant and much-needed step. Technology must become an intrinsic part of the justice delivery system,” said Advocate Rastogi. “Live-streaming will not only enhance transparency but also empower litigants, researchers, law students, and the public at large. It democratizes access to courtroom proceedings and ensures that justice is not just done but seen to be done.”
He further noted that real-time access to hearings would reduce misinformation and help stakeholders understand judicial reasoning directly from the source, thereby strengthening public trust in the institution.
Implications for Litigants and the Legal Ecosystem
Live-streaming is poised to benefit a broad range of stakeholders:
• Litigants who are unable to travel to court will be able to follow their cases remotely.
• Law students and academics will gain invaluable exposure to real-time legal arguments and courtroom dynamics.
• Media and civil society will be better placed to report accurately on judicial proceedings.
• Judicial accountability may see a positive uptick, with the knowledge that proceedings are under public scrutiny.
While live-streaming may initially be limited to five courtrooms, it sets a strong precedent for expansion to more benches and other High Courts.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite its promise, live-streaming also presents challenges, such as protecting privacy, preventing misuse of footage, and ensuring that it does not disrupt the solemnity of courtrooms. To that end, courts are expected to formulate robust guidelines, as previously outlined by the Supreme Court which advocated for the implementation of live-streaming with necessary safeguards.
As preparations progress and technical frameworks are tested, legal observers are optimistic that the Bombay High Court’s move will inspire other courts across the country to follow suit.
“This is not just a technical reform,” concludes Advocate Rastogi. “It is a philosophical shift in how we view justice, as a public good that must be accessible, accountable, and visible to all.”
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