Karnataka HC Directs Facebook, YouTube, X To Delete Video Clips From Court Proceedings

Karnataka High Court orders deletion of video clips of live streaming of court proceedings from social media

Recently, two video clips of Justice V Srishananda of the Karnataka High Court went viral on social media, in which he was seen making objectionable remarks.

Source : Nathan Dumlao/Unsplash

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday restrained social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube and X from sharing court proceedings of live streamed videos. The high court also directed  Facebook, YouTube and X to delete the videos live streamed on channels posted in violation of rules.

A single judge bench of Justice Hemant Chandangoudar directed that till the next date of hearing YouTube, Facebook and X are restrained from sharing live streamed videos. The bench also restrained a few social media agencies from displaying the videos on their channels.

Recently, two video clips of Justice V Srishananda of the Karnataka High Court went viral on social media, in which he was seen making objectionable remarks. The Supreme Court had directed the Registrar General of the High Court to submit a report, after seeking administrative directions from the Chief Justice of high court. That top court will hear the matter tomorrow.

In one video, he was seen referring to an area in Bangalore as "Pakistan". While in another video, the Karnataka High Court judge was seen making objectionable remarks towards a woman advocate appearing in a case. The plea was filed by the advocates association after these two video clips went viral on social media, contending that running 

The order comes on a petition filed by Advocates Association Bengaluru seeking a direction to the Centre to pass suitable orders restraining individuals, video-makers, media agencies, etc from illegally using court proceedings of live streamed videos. The plea contends that the misuse of the live broadcasting by video makers and content creators on social media is highly arbitrary, illegal, perverse and unsustainable in the eyes of law.

The Karnataka High Court today said that a rule prohibiting such videos is already in place. The High Court Registry also informed the bench about displaying a disclaimer to not use the video.