IndiaPosted at: Oct 30 2026 6:45PM


MeITy policy should provide measures to curb unauthorised circulation of court videos, spell out consequences: SC

Parmod Kumar

New Delhi, Oct 30 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Friday said measures to curb the unauthorised circulation of live-streamed court proceedings should form part of a policy being contemplated by the union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeITy).

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana said the proposed MeITy policy should also spell out the consequences for unauthorised use and circulation of videos of courtroom proceedings once the policy is finalised and brought into force.

Separately, the court directed that the consequences of violating its July 24 interim directions against unauthorised extraction, circulation and monetisation of courtroom videos should also be incorporated into the proposed policy framework.

The court was hearing a petition seeking safeguards against extraction, editing, circulation and monetisation of videos of judicial proceedings on social media and other digital platforms.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that the Centre was considering a policy on the issue and had received suggestions from High Courts, lawyers and other stakeholders. He also informed the court that instances of breach of its earlier directions had come to notice and that the matter was under consideration at the ministry level.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan suggested the use of digital watermarks and cryptographic authentication so that official footage could be distinguished from manipulated or unauthorised clips.

Justice Bagchi said safeguards were also being considered administratively and noted that some High Courts had already introduced measures to prevent extraction of footage from official livestream feeds.

The bench also reiterated that even authenticated courtroom footage could not be commercially exploited and indicated that some degree of judicial supervision would remain necessary over the extent and purpose of extraction or circulation of courtroom video footage.

Bhushan, however, argued that journalists, YouTubers and legal commentators should be permitted to use portions of authenticated footage for reporting without having to obtain prior permission, relying on the principle of open justice.

The court said those concerns would be examined at an appropriate stage.

In July, the Supreme Court had, by an interim order, restrained unauthorised extraction, editing, dissemination, uploading and monetisation of audiovisual recordings of court proceedings, while clarifying that bona fide news reporting itself was not prohibited.
UNI XC RN
Tags: #MeITy policy should provide measures to curb unauthorised circulation of court videos# spell out consequences: SC
More News

Delhi traders urge Sonia Gandhi to defer November 1 rally, flag Rs 12,000 crore business disruption

30 Oct 2026 | 7:44 PM

New Delhi, Oct 30 (UNI) The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has urged senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to intervene and postpone the INDIA bloc's November 1 mega rally at Ramlila Maidan, warning that it could disrupt business worth Rs 10,000-12,000 crore across Delhi's major markets during the peak Diwali shopping season.

see more..

Joshimath Chopper crash: No rebel attack, no Army general’s family on board: Army tears into fake claims

30 Oct 2026 | 7:27 PM

Parwinder Sandhu
New Delhi, Oct 30 (UNI) The Indian Army has exposed a misinformation campaign being circulated by Pakistan-based social media accounts, which attempted to exploit the fatal helicopter crash near Joshimath in Uttarakhand by falsely portraying it as a rebel attack on an aircraft carrying the family of Lieutenant General Sanjay Mitra, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command.

see more..

UP CM Yogi and Railway Minister Vaishnaw to flag off new Vande Bharat Sleeper Train connecting Varanasi to New Delhi tomorrow

30 Oct 2026 | 7:26 PM

Varanasi/New Delhi, Oct 30 (UNI) Indian Railways is set to expand its network of modern overnight rail services with the introduction of a new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express train service connecting Varanasi with New Delhi from tomorrow.

see more..

Delhi sees heaviest October rainfall in years, mercury drops 4 7 degrees

30 Oct 2026 | 7:20 PM

New Delhi, Oct 30 (UNI) Delhi witnessed a sharp fall in temperature, with the maximum mercury dropping by 4.7 degrees Celsius in the past 24 hours, as heavy rainfall lashed several parts of the national capital, with Safdarjung recording 61.4 mm of rain, the highest among the city's key weather stations, during the 24-hour period ending on Friday morning.

see more..

Decisions on land, housing & infra should be guided by public interest, fairness & transparency: Delhi LG

30 Oct 2026 | 7:19 PM

New Delhi, Oct 30 (UNI) Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Sandhu has emphasized that urban planning is fundamentally about improving the way people live, and that the quality of a city is reflected in the ease with which its residents can access housing, travel to work, use public spaces and obtain essential services. .

see more..