Supreme Court seeks assistance on audio recording of court proceedings

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today sought a senior law officer's assistance in deciding whether the CCTV cameras installed in court rooms should be allowed to record the audio of the proceedings.

A bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar told Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh that he has been appointed amicus curiae (friend of the court) to assist it in the matter.

The apex court had on March 28 directed installation of CCTV cameras, without audio, in at least two districts in every state and Union Territory.

It had made it clear that the CCTV footages would not be available under the the Right to Information Act and would not be given to anyone without the permission of the high court concerned.

The bench said it would hear a petition filed in this regard on August 14.

The apex court had earlier directed that CCTV cameras be installed in the court rooms within three months.

The Centre had told the court that audio-video recordings could contribute to transparency in judicial proceedings.