The Calcutta High Court has recently initiated live-streaming of court proceedings from its Circuit Bench in Jalpaiguri.
Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam presided over the commencement ceremony and expressed pride in the fact that Calcutta High Court now has the highest number of live-streamed courts among all High Courts in India, with a total of 23 courts.
Chief Justice Sivagnanam highlighted the benefits of live-streaming court proceedings, stating that it would benefit various stakeholders. Litigants who are unable to attend court in person due to geographical constraints can now watch the proceedings through live-streaming, providing them with satisfaction and a sense of involvement. Lawyers can also benefit by re-watching court proceedings to note queries posed by the court and enhance their preparation.
However, Chief Justice Sivagnanam emphasized caution regarding the unauthorized use of clips taken from live-streamed proceedings and clarified that certain sensitive cases or requests from either party may lead to the temporary suspension of live-streaming. Maintaining confidentiality and ensuring adherence to the rules framed by the e-committee is paramount.
Acknowledging the contributions of those involved in implementing live-streaming from the circuit bench, Chief Justice Sivagnanam emphasized the importance of the bench in reaching out to the local population and providing them with easier access to legal services. He commended the e-initiatives undertaken by the Calcutta High Court, including the e-RTI portal for online filing of RTIs, uploading translated versions of reported judgments, and the development of an e-gate pass system to ease entry for litigants.
Chief Justice Sivagnanam concluded by mentioning upcoming initiatives, such as increasing the number of judges and convening circuit benches more frequently, to better serve litigants in remote areas of West Bengal who face difficulties accessing the principal bench of the Calcutta High Court.
The initiatives undertaken by the Calcutta High Court aim to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of the legal and judicial process, ensuring a smoother experience for all stakeholders.
