A Mumbai law college student was caught recording court proceedings on his mobile phone in the Bombay high court and was served with a contempt notice. The student had recorded his brother – an advocate arguing a property dispute opposite senior advocate Venkatesh Dhond and in the court of justice Kathawala.
He had recorded for 18 minutes before his phone was confiscated by a court-officer. Following the incident, only advocates will be allowed to carry phones inside courtrooms. Previously everyone was allowed to carry phones inside, but a Rs 500 fine could be administered on anyone caught using the phones inside courtrooms.
In January the Bombay HC confiscated the phone of a holidaying Illinois circuit court judge who was caught taking pictures of court proceedings [Mid-Day]
threads most popular
thread most upvoted
comment newest
first oldest
first
How is "right to freedom of expression WITHOUT any limitations" connected with RECORDING of court proceedings?? Please elaborate.
Elaboration -
What is one doing when one is recording? Right to Freedom of Speech of Expression not only includes a dictionary meaning of speech and expression, but is also includes "right to receive information", or "right to know" [See: State of U.P v. Raj Narain ]. Now, when one is recording, one is receiving some sort of information. Here, one is recording. It can further be broken down into two stages, receiving and thereafter storing . Without receiving it, you cannot store it. Hence, it is covered under the ambit of Article 19(1)(a). Moreover, it is also a form of "expression" if looked carefully. Without expression, how will one record it? It is only
a matter of interpretation, and I will assume you to be aware at least of the fact that, very often, pure strict interpretation has not been adopted by the courts in India
threads most popular
thread most upvoted
comment newest
first oldest
first