Supreme Court Bans Photography, Videography In Court's High Security Zone After Bar's Concerns Over 'Reels' & Selfies
The Supreme Court has issued a circular prohibiting photography and videography within its High Security Zone, except for official purposes, in a move aimed at safeguarding the dignity and security of the Court.
The circular, issued by the Secretary General, lays down strict guidelines with immediate effect. It stated that Advocates, litigants, interns, law clerks, and media personnel have been specifically barred from using cameras, mobile phones, or equipment such as tripods and selfie sticks for creating reels, clicking pictures, or recording videos inside the High Security Zone.
While media interviews and live broadcasts of news will continue to be permitted, these can only be conducted at the designated media lawn in the Low Security Zone.
The following guidelines, with immediate effect were issued:
1. Photography and videography is prohibited inside the High Security Zone of the Supreme Court of India, save and except for official use.
2. The media personnel to conduct interviews and live broadcasting of news at their designated location i.e. lawn in Low Security Zone.
3. Use of mobile phone for photography and videography is prohibited in the lawn of High Security Zone.
4. Equipment such as camera, tripod, selfie-stick etc. used for videography, creating reels and clicking photographs shall be restricted in the High Security Zone, except for official use.
5. In case of violation of above guidelines by an Advocate, Litigant, Intern or a Law Clerk, concerned Bar Association or concerned State Bar Council shall take appropriate action against the violator as per their rules & regulations.
6. In case of violation of above guidelines by a media personnel, their access to the High Security Zone of the Supreme Court of India may be restricted for a period of one month.
7. Any violation of above guidelines by staff of the Registry will be viewed seriously, and in case of other stakeholders, their concerned head of department shall be requested to take disciplinary action against the violator as per their rules and regulations.
8. The security personnel shall reserve right to disallow any individual, staff member, advocate or others from taking photographs or making videos inside the High Security Zone of the Supreme Court of India.
Recently, the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association had written to the CJI raising concerns over photography and videography in Court premises by advocates and cyber influencers., The Supreme Court Bar Association also passed a resolution recommending strict action against advocates engaging in videography, “reel-making,” and other forms of social media content creation within the Supreme Court premises.