Supreme Court E-Committee Releases Draft Rules For Live-Streaming Of Court Proceedings

The draft rules made it clear that matrimonial matters, cases concerning sexual offences, cases concerning gender-based violence against women among others will be excluded from live-streaming.

The e-committee of the Supreme Court on Monday released the Draft Model Rules for Live-Streaming and Recording of Court Proceedings which is aimed at bringing greater transparency, inclusivity and access to justice". The draft rules made it clear that matrimonial matters, including transfer petitions arising thereunder, cases concerning sexual offences, including proceedings instituted under Section 376 (rape) of Indian Penal Code, cases concerning gender-based violence against women among others will be excluded from live-streaming. The final decision as to whether or not to allow the Live-streaming of the Proceedings or any portion thereof will be of the Bench, however, the decision of the Bench will be guided by the principle of an open and transparent judicial process. The decision of the Bench shall not be justiciable, an official release said. It said the committee has invited inputs, feedback and suggestions on the draft rules from all the stakeholders.