Links in causelist, audio transcripts: Supreme Court records Indira Jaising suggestions on live-streaming of important cases

The Supreme Court on Monday took on record suggestions made by Senior Advocate Indira Jaising on live-streaming of important cases [Indira Jaising v. Secretary General and Ors]..A Bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala informed the senior lawyer that administrative steps are being taken, and that they would look into the matter after four weeks."We permit Ms Jaising to place a comprehensive note before Secretary General so that it is taken into account when modalities of live-streaming are being formulated," the top court ordered..During the hearing today, CJI Chandrachud noted that the suggestions made by Jaising include adding links to the video hearings in the causelist to enable access, live-streaming of important matters of the moment apart from Constitution Bench cases, and allowing audio transcripts of hearings for archival.Jaising told the Bench that courts in the United States of America do not live-stream their proceedings, but allow audio transcription of hearings."Matters like marital rape have national importance and thus should be live-streamed," she added..The Supreme Court had in February 2020 issued notice in an application filed by Jaising seeking framing of guidelines to effectuate live-streaming of proceedings.In its judgment in Swapnil Tripathi v. Supreme Court of India, the top court had held that matters of national importance being heard by it should be live-streamed and video recorded. It was held that this would bring about more transparency in the system.A three-judge bench, of which then Justice Chandrachud was a part, had also directed the framing of rules to regulate the live streaming.The Supreme Court had in September decided to begin live-streaming of Constitution Bench cases.In November, the top court had asked its Registry to examine the suggestion made by Jaising to include links of video conference hearings in the causelists.