SCAORA asks Chief Justice Gavai to ban videography and social media content creation by advocates inside Supreme Court premises. Citing risks to decorum, security, and public trust, the letter warns against “impermissible solicitation” and misuse of court footage.
New Delhi: On July 25, the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) has officially written a letter to the Chief Justice of India, Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, asking for clear and strict rules to stop advocates from shooting videos, making social media reels, or creating any kind of content inside the Supreme Court premises.
The letter, dated July 25, 2025, was signed by SCAORA President Mr. Vipin Nair and Honorary Secretary Mr. Nikhil Jain.
It raises multiple serious concerns such as professional misconduct, unethical advertisement of legal services, violation of court decorum, possible misrepresentation of judicial proceedings, and even national security risks.
This request from SCAORA comes after they received complaints from several members of the legal community who were worried about the growing trend of advocates using the Supreme Court premises to record videos, often in high-security zones, and using them on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and other social media.
In their letter, SCAORA noted that many of these videos are a form of
“impermissible solicitation, which is expressly forbidden by the Bar Council of India Rules”.
Even though some of these videos include disclaimers, they often show the advocate’s name, contact details, or promote legal services indirectly—something that goes against professional ethics.
The association strongly believes that such behaviour
“diminish[es] the dignity and decorum of the legal profession” and can “erod[e] public trust in the legal system.”
They added that since Advocates-on-Record hold a unique position of trust and responsibility, any such action on their part is even more serious.
SCAORA has also pointed out that advocates sometimes use
“courtroom clippings or snippets from live-streamed proceedings” in their videos.
The association warned that this is dangerous because it can
“misrepresent judicial proceedings, undermine the sanctity of the Court, and spread misinformation.”
Another serious concern is that such content can affect the judicial process. The letter highlights the risk of “trial by media” and the potential for distorting how the public views ongoing court matters through
“sensationalism or selective presentation.”
The letter further warns about national security, calling unauthorized filming in sensitive areas of the court a breach of established rules.
According to SCAORA, it could violate
“stringent security protocols established for the safety and integrity of the Court.”
They also mentioned that Supreme Court judges themselves have expressed worry about short video clips from court proceedings being taken out of context.
As the letter says, some judges have
“expressed apprehensions about misuse of short video clips especially those taken out of context from live streams,”
which can harm the judiciary’s reputation and spread false information.
In light of these serious concerns, SCAORA has asked the Chief Justice to take the following steps:
First, the association asked for a formal ban by the top court to
“formulate and release a clear and comprehensive guideline prohibiting videography, photography, and any form of content creation within the Supreme Court premises,”
except in situations where it is officially allowed.
Second, they want the Bar Council to reinforce the ethical rule that prohibits lawyers from advertising or promoting themselves. As the letter requests, there should be a renewed emphasis
“to re-emphasize the ban on direct or indirect solicitation by legal professionals on social media or any other public platform.”
Third, SCAORA wants a complete ban on using or uploading court footage on social media or elsewhere without official approval. They are asking the court
“to forbid the uploading or sharing of any court proceedings, whether recorded or from live streams, outside the approved channels of the Supreme Court.”
Finally, the association has called for strict action against those who break these rules. As per the letter, the court should
“ensure that violations are met with disciplinary action commensurate with the seriousness of the breach,”
with extra attention given to Advocates-on-Record, who are expected to maintain high professional standards.
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The letter ends with a note of trust in the Chief Justice’s leadership, stating that his action will play a key role
“in preserving the integrity of the Supreme Court, reinforcing ethical standards, and preventing solicitation and security threats within the legal community.”
The letter has also been forwarded to the Bar Council of India and the Bar Council of Delhi for necessary action and coordination.
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