Now, video recording in Bombay HC could invite fine, phone confiscation

The Bombay High Court has recently taken action against individuals who record court proceedings without authorization. In response to an increasing number of such incidents, the court ordered the confiscation of mobile phones used in these recordings and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000. This decision was made following a bench of Justices Girish S Kulkarni and Neela K Gokhale, who took suo motu cognizance on October 5.

The court staff seized a mobile phone from a man named Dilip Wagh, who works in the Education Inspector's office, after suspecting he was recording proceedings. Wagh deleted the video after being caught, but the court later retrieved it. The High Court emphasized that while court proceedings are open to the public, recordings without permission are strictly prohibited.

The court also noted that recordings can be manipulated and distorted when posted on social media. Wagh was made aware of the basic expectations surrounding court rules and regulations and was fully aware of the restrictions on recording proceedings. The court accepted his apology and did not initiate contempt proceedings, but ordered the confiscation of the mobile handset, removal of all data, and its disposal in accordance with legal procedures.

Additionally, he was ordered to pay a fine of Rs 10,000 to the High Court Legal Services Authority within two weeks, with compliance due by October 19.