Subsequent to self-exposure of happenings within corridors linking chambers of Supreme court judges by four senior judges of the Apex Court in the media-conference, Supreme Court has finally agreed on 09.02.2018 to consider feasibility of live telecast of Supreme Court proceedings even though earlier even video-recording of the same were declined.
LETTER TO EDITOR
But live telecast can be feasible only for few selected court-proceedings. Need is to provide some practical mechanism whereby recordings may be replayed in case of need. It may be recalled that Supreme Court had to issue contempt-notices on 20.09.2012 to two English dailies Pioneer and Indian Express allegedly for their having misreported court-proceedings.
With court-rooms equipped with necessary wiring-slots for the purpose, Supreme Court should take immediate steps for compulsory audio-recording of proceedings in all court-rooms, which may be available on annual subscription to those having subscribed for the same soon after court-proceedings are over for the day. Provision of providing recording of daily proceedings of individual court-rooms may also be there on payment. System will induce much-needed transparency, accountability and responsibility for all present in court-rooms.
Rather such a system should be there in all courts of different levels in the country to be started from stage of High Courts.
MADHU AGRAWAL
(Guinness Record Holder for letters in newspapers)
1775 Kucha Lattushah
Dariba, Chandni Chowk
DELHI 110006 (India)