Anadi Tewari
Taking into note the surge of COVID-19 and the difficulty faced by media personnels in reporting the processing of the Court, the Supreme Court of India today has launched a mobile application that will allow media personnels to report virtual hearings in the top court from their home without visiting the premises.
The Mobile Application launch event took place virtually via Google Meet with Chief Justice of India NV Ramana launching the application in the event.
Supreme Court judge Justice Hemant Gupta was also present at the launching event.
Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice A.M. Khanwilkar who have tested positive for COVID-19 a few days back and are now recovering also ensured their presence.
Other than launching the application facility for the easiness of the media personnel, CJI Ramana also announced that the Supreme Court will also be introducing a feature of ‘Indicative Notes’ on its website. This feature will provide Digest briefs or a summary of the landmark judgments of the top court.
“This will help people who wish to know about Supreme Courts’ rulings. I thank Former Chief Justice Bobde for working for this feature,” remarked CJI Ramana extending his thanks to former CJI Bobde.
The Chief Justice of India further assured that he is actively working in the step of live streaming of the proceedings of the Supreme Court.
“We are also looking for live streaming of the proceedings of the Supreme Court. Instead of implying it completely, we will first try to do a trial in a few courts. This could be done after I have consensus with my brother judges in a meeting,” the Chief Justice stated.
I am also planning to appoint one senior officer as the point of contact between the Supreme Court and the media, CJI Ramana noted.
The event began at sharp 01:00 PM with CJI Ramana greeting his fellow judges (Justices Khanwilkar, Chandrachud and Gupta) and further providing information regarding his health.
“We are introducing the application to media personnels/friends so that they don’t bother coming to the court during this pandemic. There was great concern shown by my fellow brothers present at this event,” CJI Ramana stated while addressing the media personnels in the event.
Justice Hemant Gupta then took over and emphasised that access to media to court proceedings will only increase transparency.
“One should be careful in reporting. The links given to you should be used bonafide manner and no unauthorized person should access it else it would be unfair for the institution,” Justice Gupta stated a caveat.
Justice DY Chandrachud then took over and went on to remark that:
“One thing I would like to say which the Chief Justice won’t say as he is a ‘self-effacing’ person. When I asked him to set this up, he responded in less than three days and also emphasized the need to provide access to media personnels.”
The Judge also took note that all the 6 staff people who worked on the making of this application have tested positive and have still completed this work from their home.
“The journalists are exposed so much to the outside world and prone to COVID. We hope that this link facility will help you from reporting the proceedings while at home and will ensure your safety,” the Judge observed.
Justice AM Khanwilkar then took over and stated that there is an important association of the media with the Supreme Court and because media is doing such an essential service, the same needs to be harnessed.
“The Institution is paying back by offering this gift (link) for their betterment. Though it is temporary as of now but can be permanent in the future depending upon the issues we encounter,” Justice Khanwilkar further noted.
The Chief Justice then took back over and remarked that transparency is the most important part of the court proceedings.
“Hearing of cases have always taken place in a public courtroom with access being allowed not only to the lawyers and the litigants in a particular case but also to the general public. Sometimes we have restricted them due to security issues. The role of media is the most important when it comes to the dissemination of information. Access to this information to the public is important since the rulings are for the public and they should know about it,” CJI Ramana went on to remark.
CJI Ramana went on to explain why this new mechanism has been brought upon, he stated that:
“We came to know that a lot of media personnel are using advocate’s chamber to resolve the connectivity issue and have access to the hearing of the court. There were numerous requests to create a mechanism so that the media personnel have access to virtual hearing with less connectivity issue.”
Secretary-General and everyone is down with COVID. They developed this facility within 7 days, the CJI further stated.
“This will allow you to cover proceedings from mobile phones. Only, I must highlight that technology that is newly developed may be susceptible to issues that arise, and should not be unnecessarily magnified. Please be patient and give the system requisite time,” CJI Ramana further emphasised.
CJI Ramana also expressed condolences and grief and remembered those judicial officers and staff of the court who lost their lives due to COVID-19.
Lastly, while concluding the event, CJI Ramana emphasised upon media to use this facility responsibly and appealed to everyone at the event to follow all the COVID-19 protocols.
“Everybody is rendering their services with the best capacity in these tough times. I expect media to use these services carefully and responsibly,” CJI Ramana concluded.
This mobile application with access to press will shortly be available on Google Play Store. Our PR Officer will provide step by step guide,” Secretary-General Sanjeev Kalagaonkar mentioned.