Orissa HC Bar Association opposes live streaming of court proceedings

Orissa High Court Bar Association has asked HC to rescind order for live streaming of court proceedings to “protect the dignity and majesty of courts”.

Published on: Jul 31, 2021, 11:48:14 IST

By Debabrata Mohanty

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The Orissa High Court Bar Association has opposed the live streaming of court proceedings scheduled to begin from August 2, saying it would lower the dignity of the institution.

The bar association has asked the Orissa high court chief justice to keep the live streaming rules in abeyance. (HT Photo)

On Wednesday, the Orissa Livestreaming of Court Proceedings Rules were notified for broadening the implementation of the open court concept.

The live streaming will not cover matrimonial matters and those involving children and juveniles and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act cases. Cases related to sexual offences, gender-based violence against women, Official Secrets Act, national security, Habeas Corpus petitions will also continue to be heard in camera.

The Association, in a letter to Chief Justice S Muralidhar, said the order for live streaming should be rescinded to protect the dignity and majesty of courts. It added its views and suggestion were not considered while taking the decision.

“The live streaming of court proceedings has its implicit hazards as this is amenable to public access even at all odd places/locations unless reasonable and proper care is taken after taking into confidence the members of the Bar for protecting the dignity and majesty of Courts and institution at large,” the Association wrote.

The Association has asked the Chief Justice to keep the live streaming rules in abeyance.

The court will also start from Monday hearing of cases through both virtual and physical modes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debabrata Mohanty
Debabrata Mohanty is a senior assistant editor of Hindustan Times who works as state correspondent from Odisha covering the state's politics, governance, public policy, natural disasters, environment and its society for close to three decades. With his long years of reporting from the state capital of Bhubaneswar, Mohanty has been known as one of the most experienced and credible journalists covering Odisha for the national English dailies. His reporting combines on-ground detail with deep institutional knowledge detailing the state's changing politics, governance issues, administrative reforms and the functioning of its public institutions. He has regularly reported on issues ranging from legislative developments and public policy implementation. Politics is his core areas of expertise as he closely tracks Odisha's political landscape, including the rise and transformation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the two principal political parties in Odisha. His long association with the state's political establishment enables him to write on contemporary developments in a larger political context. Mohanty takes a deep interest in writing human interest stories, environmental issues and documenting the impact of cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and other climate-related events in one of the most disaster-prone states. His coverage extends to public health, governance reforms and stories on accountability of government institutions. Before joining Hindustan Times, Mohanty worked with The Indian Express, Mail Today, and The Telegraph, where he covered at least six general elections and as many assembly elections. In 2007, he was selected for the prestigious Chevening Young Indian Print Journalist Programme at the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, where he received advanced training in print journalism. In 2009 he won the Press Institute of India-International Committee of Red Cross award on conflict reporting for his on-ground reportage of 2008 Kandhamal riots.Read More

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