Recently, the High courts of about eight states have been directed by Apex court to excercise superintendence over subordinate courts by video/ audio recording of proceedings. It includes Tribunals such as CESTAT and other Tribunals.
Earlier, in March, the Top-Court had directed the Government that at least in two districts in every State/Union Territory CCTV Cameras may be installed inside the courts and at such important locations of the Court complexes.
Consequently, High Courts of Sikkim, Bombay, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh, Tripura, Punjab and Haryana, Allahabad, Patna, Rajasthan and Gauhati had filed reports. Out of the remaining twelve States, eight have been installed CCTV cameras whereas installation process is in progress in the remaining four Courts.
Justices Adarsh Kumar Goel and Uday Umesh Lalit had said that installation of CCTV Cameras will be in the interest of justice and any apprehension to the contrary needs to be repelled. “
We have already incorporated safeguards of footage of recording not being given for any purpose other than the purpose for which the High Court considers it appropriate. We have also directed that the R.T.I provisions will not apply to CCTV camera recordings in our Order dated 28.03.2017.”
The order further stated that the recordings will help the constitutional authorities and the High Courts exercising jurisdiction under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution over such Tribunals. “We, therefore, direct that this aspect may now be taken up by learned Additional Solicitor General with the concerned authorities so that an appropriate direction is issued by the concerned authority for installation of CCTV cameras in Tribunals in same manner as in Courts and an affidavit filed in this Court.”
“Though our earlier direction was to install CCTV cameras in two districts in every State/Union Territory, with the experience now gained, it is desirable that CCTV cameras are installed in all subordinate courts in such phased manner as may be considered appropriate by the High Courts. Schedule for the purpose may be laid down within one month and information furnished to this Court within two months. Audio recording may also be done. Similar directions may be issued by the Government for Tribunals,” the bench said.
Read the full text of the Order below.
