Installation of cameras in courtrooms

The Supreme Court has directed the installation of closed circuit (CCTV) cameras inside lower courts in at least two districts in every State and Union Territory within the next three months. After years of hesitation and reluctance, the SC has finally permitted installation of CCTV cameras without audio recording.

In an unprecedented order by the apex court, a bench of Justices Adarsh K Goel and Uday U Lalit directed 24 high courts across the country to assure that district and sessions courts in a minimum of two districts in every state and union territories have CCTV cameras installed inside courtrooms and also in the court precincts within three months.

However, the SC barred access to the video footage to lawyers, litigants, and the general public through the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The bench stated that "We may make it clear that footage of the CCTV cameras will not be available under the RTI Act and will not be supplied to anyone without the permission of the concerned high court. Installation may be completed within three months from today.”

Link: https://www.vidhikarya.com/legal-blog/installation-of-cameras-in-courtrooms