Bombay High Court to Start Live Streaming Court Proceedings from July 7
Bombay High Court to Start Live Streaming Court Proceedings from July 7
In a major move to make the judicial process more transparent and accessible, the Bombay High Court will begin live streaming some of its court proceedings from Monday, July 7. This step will apply not only to the main bench in Mumbai but also to benches in Aurangabad, Nagpur, and Goa.
The court announced the decision through an official notification on Thursday, after the Maharashtra government approved the “Rules for Live Streaming and Recording of Court Proceedings” on July 1. The new rules aim to help the public, law students, and journalists better understand how justice is delivered.
However, not all cases will be live streamed. Sensitive matters — including cases involving sexual offences, crimes against women, minors under the POCSO Act, Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) cases, juvenile justice matters, and proceedings that might disrupt communal harmony — are excluded. Additionally, witness testimonies and cross-examinations won’t be broadcast to protect privacy.
Even when cases aren’t live streamed, the recordings will be stored securely as per the court’s protocol. The final call to allow or deny live streaming will rest with the judge or bench handling the case.
The decision follows years of advocacy from legal reformers like Advocate Mathews Nedumpara, who has campaigned for live streaming since 2010. “It’s fulfilling to see this become reality. It will build trust in the judiciary and help citizens and students understand the legal process better,” Nedumpara said.
Experts say this move can boost transparency, educate young lawyers, and help the media report court proceedings more accurately. But the court has made it clear that it will roll out live streaming carefully to avoid misuse and maintain courtroom decorum. Dedicated teams will oversee the process to ensure quality and ethical standards.
At first, only select hearings will be live streamed, with gradual expansion planned based on feedback. Viewers will be able to watch through the Bombay High Court’s official platforms, with detailed access guidelines to follow soon.
Following the Supreme Court of India’s lead — which started live-streaming constitutional bench hearings in 2022 — this initiative by the Bombay High Court marks a significant step towards a more open and accountable judicial system.
As July 7 approaches, there’s growing anticipation among lawyers, students, and the public to witness this historic shift towards greater transparency in Indian courts.
