New Delhi: Supreme Court judge Justice Vikram Nath has called on the Delhi High Court to start live-streaming its proceedings, stressing that the premier institution of the country should take the lead in ensuring transparency.
Justice Nath made this appeal while addressing the launch of multiple digital initiatives by the Delhi High Court. These included the Delhi High Court Mobile App, the e-HRMS Portal for Judicial Officers, the e-Office Pilot Project, the onboarding of MCD Appellate Tribunal and Juvenile Justice Boards on e-Courts, and the Digital Preservation of Judicial Records project.
Call for Transparency Through Technology
During the event, Justice Nath said that Delhi High Court must “go live.” He emphasized that such a move would set an example for other institutions and strengthen public confidence in the judiciary.
To reinforce his point, he asked the judges present, including the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, whether they had any objection. According to him, none of the judges raised concerns.
Addressing Justice Prathiba M. Singh, who heads the court’s IT Committee, Justice Nath added that it was now time to take the decision forward. He remarked, “Then it should go live. Call me again when it goes live.”
Previous Efforts on Live-Streaming
This is not the first time Delhi High Court has spoken about live-streaming its proceedings. In October 2023, the court had announced the start of live-streaming from Court No. 1, presided over by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Narula.
However, after initial trials, the project was discontinued. The live-streaming link remains visible on the official Delhi High Court website, but the court clarified that such content was for “information purposes only” and would not be considered an official record of proceedings.
Hybrid Access Continues
Even without live-streaming, the Delhi High Court provides a hybrid system for improved access. Lawyers, litigants, and members of the public can attend hearings virtually through the WebEx platform, offering broader participation in judicial processes.
Justice Nath’s renewed call underscores growing judicial support for using technology to enhance transparency, while reminding the Delhi High Court of its responsibility to lead the way.
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