BENGALURU: In response to backlash over controversial remarks made by a judge, the Karnataka High Court announced it will begin live streaming its court proceedings. This decision follows an incident where Judge Vedavyasachar Sreeshananda linked a local Muslim-majority area to “Pakistan,” causing widespread outrage.
On Friday, the court issued a public notice detailing the restrictions under the Karnataka Rules on Live Streaming and Recording of Court Proceedings. The notice emphasized that unauthorized use of live-streamed content would lead to legal consequences, especially in light of viral videos showcasing objectionable comments from judges.
The court specifically referenced Rule 10 (2), which prohibits individuals or entities, including media and social media platforms, from recording or sharing live-streamed court proceedings without prior authorization. Violations could result in prosecution under the Indian Copyright Act, 1957, and the Information Technology Act, 2000. The court retains exclusive copyright over recordings and archival data.
Guidelines state that any party accessing the live stream must adhere to these rules, forbidding reproduction, transmission, or modification of recordings without written approval from the court. However, authorized recordings may be used for news dissemination, academic research, and educational purposes, provided they remain unaltered and are not used for commercial activities. Additionally, unauthorized recording devices will be strictly prohibited in courtrooms.
This announcement comes in the wake of remarks made by Judge Sreeshananda on August 28, during a discussion about a lease agreement. He allegedly referred to Goripalya, a predominantly Muslim area in Bengaluru, as “Pakistan,” stating, “The Mysore flyover leads from Goripalya to the market to the left. It is in Pakistan, not in India.”
The comments have sparked accusations of inciting religious tension and discrimination against the Muslim community. Activists and community leaders have condemned the statement, questioning its appropriateness from a judicial authority.
In response, the Supreme Court has sought a report from the Karnataka High Court to address the issue and has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter.
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