The Bombay High Court has announced that live streaming of court proceedings will now depend on the consent of the presiding judge, aiming to ensure judicial control, transparency, and prevent misuse of courtroom recordings online.
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MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court has announced a major update to its live streaming policy. From now on, court proceedings will be live-streamed only with the consent of the presiding judge, as per a new notice issued on Monday.
This decision comes just months after the High Court first started live-streaming hearings from select benches to make the justice system more transparent and accessible to the public.
According to the notice, the presiding judge of each court will decide whether a hearing can be broadcast live. The same judge will also be responsible for approving requests for access to copies of live-streamed recordings.
The High Court clarified that this is in line with the Bombay High Court Rules for Live Streaming and Recording of Court Proceedings, which state that all live broadcasts are “subject to the consent of the Judge or Judges.”
The notice was issued on the same day that Chief Justice of India (CJI) B. R. Gavai raised concerns about a fake, morphed video circulating on social media. The video falsely showed a shoe-throwing incident inside his courtroom, something that never actually happened.
This incident sparked a discussion about the misuse of digital court content and the importance of safeguarding the reputation of the judiciary in the age of viral misinformation.
Background
In July 2025, the Bombay High Court began live-streaming hearings from five benches as part of its push for greater judicial transparency. While some benches embraced the idea, others chose not to go live, reflecting mixed comfort levels among judges with the new format.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of India has been live-streaming all its court proceedings since 2024, setting an example for other courts across the country.
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