HC suspends video conferencing, live-streaming after 'mischief' and 'unprecedented situation'

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The High Court of Karnataka on Tuesday suspended video conferencing facilities in the principal bench in Bengaluru and the circuit benches at Dharwad and Kalaburagi and also the live streaming of court proceedings on YouTube following what it called “mischief ” and “unprecedented situation”.

This was announced by Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale on Tuesday morning, blaming it on “mischief by some people.”

On Tuesday, Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale announced in court, “(There is an) Unfortunate situation. We are stopping all the live-streaming, video streaming etc, video conferencing. Unfortunately, some mischief is being played by somebody. There may be something at the level of some mischief players or technology being misused.”

The Chief Justice requested the advocates whose cases are listed to inform their colleagues and counterparts about the cancellation and not to rush to the Registrar or the video conference personnel. The CJ observed that “this is an unfortunate and unprecedented situation.

Otherwise, the Karnataka High Court was always in favour of technology being used for better services for the public at large as well as the learned counsels.

But for the situation which is unprecedented we have to take this decision. Please cooperate. This is a request to all the learned counsels to please request your colleagues (as well).”