The Supreme Court of India has taken a significant step towards enhancing the transparency and accessibility of its judicial proceedings by commencing live streaming of all court hearings. This initiative is aimed at allowing ordinary citizens to witness the proceedings in real time, making the judicial process more open and understandable to the public.
The live streaming can be accessed on the Supreme Court's official website through a dedicated web link. This platform provides an option for anyone interested to watch the court proceedings as they happen.
Until now, the apex court had limited live streaming to select cases, mainly those of national importance and Constitution Bench hearings, which were previously available on YouTube. The move to stream all court sessions reflects a commitment to improving public access to justice.
In addition to live streaming, the Supreme Court has incorporated advanced technology to enhance the viewing experience. Artificial intelligence and natural language processing tools are now being used for live transcription of significant hearings.
This development is particularly noteworthy, as it aims to make the proceedings more understandable for the general public, who may not be familiar with legal jargon or court procedures.
For instance, recent hearings related to the NEET-UG case and the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital suo moto case attracted considerable public attention, highlighting the effectiveness of this initiative.
The foundation for this move was laid by the Supreme Court's judgement in the Swapnil Tripathi case back in 2018, where the court advocated for the live streaming of important proceedings.
Following this ruling, the full court made the decision to live-stream Constitution Bench proceedings, ensuring that citizens across the country could witness these important judicial activities.
The push for greater transparency doesn’t end there. Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud has been at the forefront of several reforms aimed at modernising the judicial system.
In August of the previous year, during a Constitution Bench hearing related to Article 370, he announced plans to set up cloud software for video conferencing to facilitate virtual hearings in lower courts nationwide.
This initiative is part of the broader eCourts Project, which has allocated a substantial budget for technological advancements in the judiciary. The pandemic underscored the necessity for virtual hearings, with Indian courts managing an impressive 43 million hearings online during that time.
In a symbolic move to shed colonial influences and embrace a more contemporary representation of justice, the Supreme Court has also made changes to the statue of Lady Justice within its premises.
Traditionally, Lady Justice has been depicted with a blindfold and a sword, symbolising impartiality and the power to punish injustice. However, under CJI Chandrachud's leadership, the statue now holds a copy of the Indian Constitution in one hand, while the blindfold has been removed to signify transparency and awareness. The scales of justice in her right hand remain, symbolising the careful weighing of facts and arguments from both parties before reaching a verdict.
These changes reflect a significant shift in the Indian judiciary, moving towards a more open and accountable system. By live streaming court proceedings, the Supreme Court is not only fostering greater public trust in the legal system but also encouraging a culture of transparency that is essential in a democratic society.
This initiative is expected to empower citizens, giving them a front-row seat to the judicial process and enhancing their understanding of how justice is delivered in the country.
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