On September 16, 2024, a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant refused to entertain a public‑interest litigation that asked the Supreme Court to order the takedown of audio and video recordings of court proceedings posted on X, Meta and Google.
The petitioner, who had appeared in a bail‑plea case concerning his father, claimed that the clips distorted the proceedings and sought a court‑mandated removal.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi emphasised that content violating a court order must first be addressed through notice to the platform, and only after that may the apex court be approached.
CJI Surya Kant warned that any commercial exploitation of court footage or addition of unrecorded statements could amount to contempt, underscoring the need for strict compliance.
The court advised the petitioner to exhaust all available legal remedies before filing again, effectively putting the on‑us decision on hold until the matter is pursued through the appropriate channels.
No immediate takedown order was issued; the case is now pending on whether the petitioner will file further notices or seek recourse in lower courts.