The Supreme Court today reserved its verdict in the ongoing issue relating to use of video conferencing in matrimonial proceedings..A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud heard the parties and Amicus Curiae Ajit Kumar Sinha before reserving its order..The case has its genesis in an order passed by Justices AK Goel and UU Lalit mandating use of video conferencing facilities in matrimonial disputes before filing transfer petitions etc. Based on the said order, the Supreme Court has been disposing of transfer petitions without going into the merits of such petitions..Subsequently, another Bench of Justices Kurian Joseph and R Banumathi disagreed with the said order, stating that the earlier Bench was not fully informed while passing the said order. They opined that the matter requires consideration by a larger Bench and directed that it be placed before the Chief Justice for constitution of an appropriate bench..Pursuant to that, the matter came up for hearing before the 3-judge Bench today..Amicus Ajit Kumar Sinha told the Court that the order passed by Justices Goel and Lalit is wrong. He placed heavy reliance on Justice DY Chandrachud’s judgment in the privacy case stating that matrimonial proceedings should get the protection of privacy and video conferencing impinges on the same..The Court, after hearing Sinha and the parties, reserved its verdict..Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.
