TheKarnataka became the second HC in the country, after Gujarat, to livestreamproceedings. On trial basis, the hearing in Court Hall No 1 of two PILs challenging the Karwar port expansion project was live streamed on YouTube close to an hour in the afternoon.
Livestreaming of court proceedings has been a long-standing demand of advocates. The matter had reached theSupreme Courtwhich said in 2018 that it is up to the chief justices of respective high courts. Recent comments by new Chief Justice of India NV Ramana that The Supreme Court is actively considering the option has further strengthened the demand.
With lockdowns becoming all too common in the pandemic, the judiciary has started hearing matters through video-conferencing.