The Supreme Court has clarified that its order directing the government to install CCTV cameras in courts and tribunals is meant solely for security purposes and not to record proceedings.

The apex court said court proceedings were anyway open to the public.

“We have passed orders for installation of CCTV cameras so that concerns regarding safety and administration of justice could be addressed. A court proceeding is open to all those who are present in the court but it may not be open to everyone who is not there in the court too,” a Bench of Justices A.K. Goel and U.U. Lalit said.

RTI Act

On March 28 last year, the Supreme Court had directed that CCTV cameras should be installed in courts and important locations of court complexes in at least two districts in every State and Union Territory. The monitor of these cameras should be placed in the chamber of the District and Sessions Judge concerned.

The apex court had, in its order, made it clear that footage would not be made available to the public under the Right to Information Act or without the permission of the High Court concerned.