On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court implemented a ban on the public use and uploading of videos related to live-streamed court proceedings available on the High Court's YouTube channel.
Justice Hemant Chandangoudar issued a directive to social media platforms, including Facebook, X, and YouTube, instructing them not to permit the uploading of such videos by private individuals.
Additionally, the Court ordered specific social media users to remove any videos they had previously shared on their channels.
"Till next date, respondents 6 to 8 [social media platforms] and 9 to 14 [private respondents] are restrained from displaying the videos on their channels. Any video already uploaded in violation of Rules must be deleted," ordered the Court in an interim order.
The Court issued these directives in response to a petition filed by the Advocates’ Association of Bengaluru, which raised concerns about the public's use of live-streamed court videos, especially by social media users.
Despite these concerns, the Court emphasized that ceasing the live-streaming of court proceedings is not a viable solution to address the misuse of hearing videos.
This discussion arose after two video clips featuring controversial remarks by Karnataka High Court judge Justice V. Srishananda circulated widely on social media, prompting the Association to request an end to live-streaming.
Justice Chandangoudar remarked that any instances of misuse should be reported directly to the judges for appropriate action.
"You have to be thick skinned. Even judges have to thick skinned. I agree that lawyers morale can be affected but the solution is not to stop live streaming. Any offence is made, you bring it to the judge's notice," the Court commented.
The Advocates’ Association approached the High Court, requesting measures to prevent the public from editing, morphing, or unlawfully using live-streamed videos of court proceedings.
The plea also called for directives to social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and X, to remove any videos or reels that may have been created using footage from the High Court's live-streamed sessions.
This petition came shortly after Justice Srishananda was recorded referring to a Muslim-majority neighborhood in west Bengaluru as "Pakistan" in one video, and making a gender-insensitive comment directed at a female lawyer in another.
In light of the backlash from these remarks, the Association sent a letter to the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, urging a halt to live-streaming until there is a consensus on appropriate discourse in open court.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court took notice of Justice Srishananda's controversial comments and requested a report from the Registrar General of the Karnataka High Court regarding the matter. Following the controversy, the judge publicly expressed regret for his remarks.
During the hearing of the Association's petition, Additional Solicitor General Arvind Kamath noted that the High Court already has rules in place to address complaints related to the misuse of videos.
"If an offence comes to someone's notice, only a complaint has to be made and action will be taken," he said.
Kamath also called the live streaming of court proceedings a boon.
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