MP High Court Temporarily Suspends Live-Streaming Of Benches Hearing Criminal Cases After PIL Claims Misuse Via Reels & Memes

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday (September 12), directed its Registry to stop the live streaming of all Benches hearing criminal matters until the next date of hearing in a PIL claiming misuse of live-streamed court proceedings via reels and memes.  

The order has been directed to be implemented w.e.f. September 15 (Monday). 

The court was hearing a PIL wherein the petitioner argued that the live streaming of court proceedings was being 'misused by several private entities' by creating reels, clips and memes. It was argued that these reels, clips, and memes portray the legal fraternity in a derogatory and wrongful manner. 

Issuing notice on the PIL a division bench of Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf directed; 

"the Registry is directed to forthwith stop the live streaming of all Benches hearing criminal matters till the next date of hearing. However, Registry shall ensure that unrestricted Webex Link is made available on the website so that any person, who wishes to view the proceedings can do so through the Webex Link. The Registry shall also ensure that recording facility through the Webex Link be not provided to any person, who wishes to view the proceedings". 

The petitioner also relied on high court's decision in Vijay Bajaj v Union of India, wherein the court had earlier restrained individuals and entities from editing, morphing or illegally using the court's live-streamed content in any form, in line with Rule 11(b) of Madhya Pradesh Live Streaming and Recording Rules for Court Proceedings, 2021. 

It was further claimed that despite these safeguards, short videos, clippings and other recordings of criminal proceedings were being made and uploaded on platforms such as YouTube in violation of the rules. 

The matter is next listed on September 25. 

Case Title: Arihant Tiwari v Union of India (WP No. 36619 of 2025)

For Petitioner: Advocate Arihant Tiwari 

For Union: Deputy Solicitor General S.M. Guru

For High Court: Advocate Sandeep Shukla

Click here to read/download the Order