Made Mockery Of Entire Justice Delivery System: Madhya Pradesh HC Restricts “Memes”, “Reels”, “Shorts” etc. Of Live Court Proceedings On Social Media Platforms

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has restrained all social media, individuals, video-makers, Media agencies and general public from editing/morphing or illegally using in any form or sharing of its Court Proceedings of live streamed videos etc. with immediate effect.

The Court was considering a writ-petition drawing its attention to the rampant misuse of live streamed court proceedings to attract views by distorting or falsely depicting issues addressed by court.

The single-bench of Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait observed, "Till further orders, we hereby restrain the respondent Nos.5 to 7, all social media, individuals, video-makers, Media agencies and general public from editing/morphing or illegally using in any form or sharing of Court Proceedings of live streamed videos etc. of this Court with immediate effect. All videos, shorts and reels uploaded in derogation of Rule 11(b) of Rules of 2021 on platforms of respondent Nos.5 to 7 shall be taken off."

The petitioner was represented by Advocate Utkarsh Agrawal, while respondents were represented by Senior Advocate Sanjay K. Agrawal, Advocate Sandeep Shukla, Advocate Mihir Agrawal and Additional Advocate General Harpreet Singh Ruprah.

The petitioner inter-alia sought suitable criminal action against all other persons who have violated provisions of Madhya Pradesh Live-Streaming and Recording Rules for Court Proceedings, 2021, in the interest of justice. It also sought an enquiry as to the profit/ revenue made by respondents by un-authorizedly and illegally using the live streamed court- proceedings and its recovery. 

Additionally, he sought issuance of certain 'guidelines' with regard to live-streaming and procedure surrounding it.

The Court observed that despite Rule 11(b) of Madhya Pradesh Live-Streaming Rules for Court Proceedings, 2021 being in place, there is a misuse of live streaming of court proceedings as the respondent Nos. 5 to 7 have made mockery of the entire justice delivery system by uploading, transmitting, sharing, usage, facilitating uploads etc. “Memes”, “Reels”, “Shorts” etc. of live court proceedings on social platforms like -WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and other like platforms.

The court gave a list of examples of it. It stated that an extract of live court proceedings is taken, the same is edited and then it is put in the form of “Reels”“Memes” “Shorts” etc. on platforms like Whatsapp, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube etc. while sometimes different channels on YouTube publish same video, by different captions; the spicier is the caption, more are the view of the videos, which in turn. will attract sponsorships to the concerned Youtube channels, Youtube any other social media which circulates it. 

The Court made it clear that if any social media platform intends to publish the Court proceedings, that will be permissible only in the manner provided by and subject to restrictions and limitations as per Rule 11(b) of Rules of 2021 and not in any other manner. 

Cause Title: Dr. Vijay Bajaj vs. Union of India and Others

Appearances:

Petitioner- Advocate Utkarsh Agrawal

Respondent- Senior Advocate Sanjay K. Agrawal, Advocate Sandeep Shukla, Advocate Mihir Agrawal and Additional Advocate General Harpreet Singh Ruprah.

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