SC directs installation of cameras in courts but without audio recording

New Delhi, March 29

In a significant step towards attaining transparency, the Supreme Court has directed that at least two districts in every state and Union Territory should install CCTV cameras at important locations in court complexes.

A bench comprising Justices A K Goel and U U Lalit directed the high courts across the country to ensure that the district and sessions courts install CCTV cameras inside courtrooms within three months but without audio recording.

The top court, however, made it clear that the footage of the CCTV will not be available under the RTI and will not be supplied to anyone without permission of the high court concerned.

"We direct that at least in two districts in every state/Union Territory (with the exception of small states/Union territories where it may be considered to be difficult to do so by the high courts concerned) CCTV cameras (without audio recording) may be installed inside the courts and at such important locations of the court complexes as may be considered appropriate.

"Monitor thereof may be in the chamber of the district and sessions judge. Location of the district courts and any other issues concerning the subject may be decided by the respective high courts. We make it clear that the footage of the CCTV camera will not be available under the RTI and will not be supplied to anyone without permission of the high court concerned," the bench said.

The apex court said report of such an experiment be submitted within one month of such installation by the registrars general of the respective high courts to the secretary general of the Supreme Court who may tabulate it and place before the court.

The matter was listed for next hearing on August 9 for further consideration.

The directions came while hearing a plea filed by one Pradyuman Bisht seeking a direction for audio-video recording of the proceedings of the trial courts to ensure fair trial. — PTI