Recording court proceedings would aid openness: HC

In an age driven by technology, recording of court proceedings would aid the concept of openness, the Delhi High Court has said while deciding to examine the issue of audio-video recording of cases before it and the subordinate courts.

A bench of Justice S Ravindra Bhat and Justice Sunil Gaur was hearing a plea seeking to allow audio and video recording of judicial proceedings.

"Open courts are an integral part of access to justice. When a court hears a case, the proceedings are open to all, saving notable exceptions.

"There can be no restrictions or curbs on reporting what occurs in court except those where the interests of justice warrant otherwise," the bench observed.
 

Petitioner Deepak Khosla had moved the court seeking a review of an August 2011 order declining his request regarding audio-video recording of a specific court proceeding.

The bench agreed to hear the review petition and said it will examine the High Court establishment's position with respect to audio-video recording of cases and causes in all the court rooms in the Delhi High Court.

It said it will also examine the manner in which the high court would consider the request for such recording in specific cases where a party does not consent to it.

The issue of audio-video recording of the proceedings in all the subordinate courts of Delhi would also be considered by the high court.

The court has fixed the matter for further hearing on December 6.

The high court in its last month's order had clarified that the directions in these proceedings shall be subject to the orders of the Supreme Court, as far as proceedings before the subordinate courts are concerned.

Recently, in a bid to ensure transparency, the Supreme Court had favoured the installation of CCTV cameras with audio recording of all court proceedings, including in its own complex along with those of the high courts and tribunals.

The top court had observed that the constitutional courts in other countries have audio and video recording, as it is not a matter of privacy of judges.

It had directed the Centre to submit a feasibility of installation of CCTV cameras with audio recordings in courts and tribunals. The issue is pending before the apex court.