In Brief
The Supreme Court directed the installation of CCTV cameras in courts across India to promote transparency and judicial accountability. Initially mandating cameras in at least two districts per State/Union Territory, the Court later expanded this to all subordinate courts in phased manner, with audio recording permitted. The Court held that CCTV surveillance serves constitutional purposes under Article 235 and does not infringe privacy since court proceedings are public. Safeguards include: footage not available under RTI, release only with High Court permission, uniform technical specifications to be prescribed by the Ministry of Information and Technology, and retention normally for three months. Similar directions were issued for Tribunals."
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