The Orissa High Court Bar Association on Thursday wrote to the Chief Justice of Odisha urging him to stop the live streaming of court proceedings scheduled to begin from August 2.
In the letter, the association said it wanted the order to live stream Orissa High Court proceedings to rescind in order to protect the dignity and majesty of Courts and institution at large.
The members of the Bar felt extremely aggrieved and expressed resentment on sudden implementation of the new rules without taking into consideration the views and suggestion of the Bar and the pros and cons and various other relevant aspects.
“The live streaming of court proceedings has its implicit hazards as this is amenable to public access even at all odd places/ locations unless reasonable and proper care is taken after taking into confidence the members of the Bar for protecting the dignity and majesty of Courts and institution at large,” the association wrote.
Requesting to consider the request, the Bar Association said, “We therefore humbly request Your Lordship and other companion judges to kindly consider the appeal of the members of the Bar Association and to keep the High Court of Orissa Live Streaming of Court Proceedings Rules, 2021 in abeyance for protecting the interest of large number of Bar members and the High Court as an institution.”
Earlier in the day, an urgent executive committee meeting of the Orissa High Court Bar Association was convened and by way of circulation, it was resolved to make an appeal to the Chief Justice to keep the High Court of Orissa Live Streaming of Court Proceedings Rules, 2021 in abeyance.
It is pertinent to mention here that, with the objective of effectuating and broadening the implementation of Open Court concept during the physical, virtual as well as hybrid hearings the High Court of Orissa made Live Streaming of Court Proceedings Rules, 2021 and it will be applied to the High Court of Orissa from August 2, 2021.
However, the High Court had made exceptions in some cases which cannot be live streamed for the public. Those include cases of matrimonial matters, matters involving children and juvenile (POCSO) and others.