The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday barred public from using or uploading videos of court proceedings which are streamed live on High Court's YouTube channel.
Justice Hemant Chandangoudar also ordered Facebook, X and YouTube not to allow such videos to be uploaded by private individuals.
Further, the Court directed certain social media users to takedown the videos uploaded 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 passed these directions while issuing notice on a petition moved by Advocates’ Association, Bengaluru, against use of live-streamed videos of court proceedings by public, particularly social media users.
However, the Court also observed that halting of live-streaming of court proceedings was not a solution to the misuse of the videos of hearings.
After two video clips showing Karnataka High Court judge Justice V Srishananda making controversial remarks went viral on social media, the Association had made a representation for stopping the live-streaming of Court proceedings.
However, Justice Chandangoudar said any misuse can be brought to the notice of the judges.
"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 Association moved the High Court seeking directions to restrain public from editing/ morphing or illegally using live streamed videos of court proceedings.
The plea also sought a direction to YouTube, Facebook, X and other social media platforms to delete any videos or reels that might have been created using footage from the High Court live streaming proceedings.
The petition was moved just days after Justice Srishananda in one of videos was seen referring to a Muslim dominated sub-locality in west Bengaluru as 'Pakistan'. In another video, the judge was seen making a gender insensitive comment, while addressing a woman lawyer.
After the remarks made by the judge generated a lot of criticism, the Association in a letter to the Karnataka High Court Chief Justice demand that the live-streaming should be stopped at least till there is some sort of sensitisation and agreement on what can be said in open court.
Meanwhile, Supreme Court also took note of the controversial comments by Justice Srishananda and sought a report from the Karnataka High Court Registrar General on the same. Following the controversy, the judge himself expressed regret for his actions and words.
During the hearing of the Association's petition, Additional Solicitor General Arvind Kamath said the High Court already has rules in place to address the complaints regarding 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.