CJI flags ‘misuse’ of live-streamed court proceedings on social media
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant says video of proceedings cannot be used for commercial gain, says his reference to ‘cockroaches’ was “misused” and was a “malicious attempt to mislead the youth”
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant raised concerns on August 13, 2026, regarding the misuse of live-streamed court proceedings and the dissemination of clips on social media without proper context. He stated that some of his oral remarks were misquoted and used with "malicious intent." The CJI's reference to "cockroaches" while discussing holders of fake law degrees during a writ petition hearing on May 15, 2026, sparked a public uproar.
This led to the formation of the online group Cockroach Janta Party, which supported recent student protests against examination leaks. The CJI later clarified that the media had misrepresented his statement, expressing regret over the misuse of his comment by sections of the media. He appealed for responsible reporting and urged all parties, including citizens, to contribute to maintaining societal harmony.
The Supreme Court had ordered on July 24 that unauthorized dissemination, reposting, uploading, and monetisation of court audio and video recordings on social media and digital platforms were prohibited. The CJI emphasized that transparency in judicial proceedings was crucial, but it should not lead to commercial exploitation. He expressed worry over short clips being shared on social media without providing the necessary context, such as the background and the atmosphere in which a judge's remarks were made.
The court is currently contemplating a protocol for users seeking to post or share live-streamed proceedings from the Supreme Court and High Courts, requiring access to the audio-visual content only through the courts' archives.
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