SC seeks registry’s reply on Ayodhya case live streaming

New Delhi, Sep 16 (IANS) The Supreme Court Bench, hearing the Ayodhya land dispute case, on Monday asked its Registry if live streaming of the hearing could be possible. "The Registry to inform if live streaming can be done and how much time it will take to do so," the Bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said.

The Bench agreed to consider plea of Govindacharya, former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideologue, seeking live streaming and audio recording of proceedings in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case.

However, the Muslim parties in the dispute have opposed the petition.

As per the plea, if none of these facilities can be arranged, the apex court should at least prepare the transcripts of proceedings for record. The transcripts can be released online later.

The Ayodhya land dispute case is being heard by a five-judge Constitution Bench, headed by the Chief Justice.

In his plea, Govindacharya had cited the Supreme Court's September 2018 ruling that court proceedings could be streamed live. The ruling had come on a petition filed by the Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change.

According to the petition, despite around a year having gone by, the apex court's ruling was yet to be implemented. "This case is a matter of national importance. There are crores of people, including the petitioner, who want to witness proceedings before this court, but can't do so due to the present norms," Govindacharya said.

He said people were desperate for early justice in the case as Lord Ram had been kept in a makeshift structure for many years. "This matter has been pending in the Supreme Court for the last nine years, and the public at large is interested in knowing the reasons behind the delay in deciding the case," the petitioner said.

Govindacharya also said as a digital super power, India had the means to arrange for live streaming of the Ayodhya case hearings.