Supreme Court: Lauding the Ministry of Justice for taking commendable steps in the matter in coordinating the implementation of the direction of this Court regarding the installation of CCTV Cameras in all subordinate Courts as well as in all the Tribunals, the Bench of AK Goel and UU Lalit, JJ said that though the Ministry of Law has coordinated the implementation of the order with regard to the Tribunals, a lot of work still remains to be done.
Earlier on 21.11.2017, the Court had asked for a report from the Centre and had said:
“Judges don’t need privacy in court proceedings.”
Listing the matter on 11.12.2017, the Court said that proposal to connect live recordings with National Judicial Data Grid may be considered and the Union of India of India may file a response regarding the same on the next date.
The Court also suggested that the authorities may consider provision for terminal availability with appropriate superior authority of Court/Tribunal with regard to places which are not manned by appropriate higher rank authority at the place where CCTV Camera is installed. Decision in this regard may be taken at the level of High Court with regard to Courts and coordinating Ministry concerned with regard to Tribunals.
Taking note of the report of the Punjab and Haryana High Court that said that a comprehensive plan of action has been prepared to have CCTV Cameras in all Courts in four phases, the bench said that the said plan should be adopted as far as possible and the report may be put on the website of the Ministry of Justice to facilitate coordination with all the High Courts and Tribunals. [Pradyuman Bisht v. Union of India, 2017 SCC OnLine SC 1358, order dated 23.11.2017]