In a major push for infusion of more transparency in judicial proceedings, a judge of the Delhi high court has strongly pitched for audio/video recording of court proceedings. Surprisingly, the judge also said the step will be deterrent to judges who do not come to courts on time, as there will be evidence against this in the form of CDs and cassettes.

Justice SN Dhingra has requested the chief justice of the court to constitute a larger bench to consider the issue.

"It is high time we should consider introduction of authenticated audio/video recordings of the proceedings in all courts, more specifically in district courts and for proving contempt cases."

Justice Dhingra said, "This will discipline not only those judges who do not come to the courts on time but will also discipline advocates and litigants who try to obtain orders from the court by show of force…"

The judge was hearing a plea by a lawyer KV Dhananjay.

He said that such a step will ensure more transparency in the functioning of the judiciary.

He said this practise was prevalent in many foreign countries and there was no provision of law in India that bars audio recording of a hearing.

Hats Off to Hon'ble Justice S. N. Dhingra.

I hope this proposal should be a part of and (included) in the Rs.1000 Crores Judicial Infrastructure Expenditure Plan in the Union Budet This year on 28-02-2011.