The Supreme Court has said it is considering direct installation of CCTV cameras in one district Court in every state, on experimental basis.
A bench comprising Justice AK Goel and Justice UU Lalit was considering a writ petition filed by Pradyuman Bisht, seeking a direction from the court for audio-video recording of the proceedings of a trial court to ensure fair trial. However, the bench said it limits the issue raised in the petition to consider whether CCTV cameras (without audio recording) can be installed in courts or at some other locations on the court premises with the monitor being in the chamber of district and sessions judge.
The court observed that such an experiment has been done in various courts, including the Gurugaon courts, in the past. The court also appointed Senior Advocate R Venkatramani as amicus to assist the court on this aspect after visiting Gurugaon court complex.
“We, prima facie, feel that after receipt of report from learned senior counsel, we may consider directing installation of CCTV cameras (without audio) in one district in every state, under the directions of the concerned high courts, and in the light of the report, which may be finally received, we may examine the matter further,” the bench said.
Read the order here.
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