The Supreme Court of India on Monday favoured the live streaming of court proceedings calling it the need of the hour. The Centre said it is also in the favour of live streaming of court proceedings across the country.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud asked the parties to give suggestions to the Attorney General for formulating holistic guidelines for live-streaming of court proceedings, reports dnaindia.com.

The bench noted that it is the ‘need of the hour’ and should be allowed in all matters, except where the hearing is held in camera, in rape cases and matrimonial disputes.

The apex court had on May 3 sought the response of the Centre to pleas seeking live streaming, video recording or transcribing of judicial proceedings in courts.

Attorney General had earlier told the court that live streaming of court proceedings was an accepted practice in various countries.

In a bid to bring in transparency, the top court had last year allowed the installation of CCTV recording with audio in trial courts and tribunals in every state.

The top court is hearing two petitions filed by Senior Advocate Indira Jaising and law student Swapnil Tripathi. The petitions have also sought a direction for setting up of live streaming rooms within the apex court premises and granting access to legal interns.

The plea filed by Swapnil Tripathi, a student of National Law University in Jodhpur, has asked for requisite guidelines to facilitate witnessing of proceedings for the interns.