Report, but don’t take screenshots of live proceedings: Delhi court to media during Delhi riots hearing

A Delhi court asked media persons not to upload screenshots of virtual court proceedings in relation to the Delhi riots cases, Live Law reported on Friday. The court emphasised that there was, however, “no hindrance” on reporting on proceedings.

The court’s order came after hearing bail applications of seven people – Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Khalid Saifi, Meera Haider, Salim Malik, Shahab Ahmed, and Saleem Khan – on Thursday.

Senior advocate Rebecca John, who represents one of the accused, had objected to a media platform posting screenshots on social media of images that had been shared during virtual court hearings.

John claimed that images that had been shared by special prosecutor Amit Prasad – who is opposing the bail pleas – had been screenshotted by the media and put up on social media. Some of the screenshots contained phone numbers, she said, and sharing them publicly might affect the privacy of those involved.

“I understand the interest in the matter,” Bar and Bench quoted her as saying, “but let us not do things which are prejudicial to accused persons.”

Additional sessions judge Amitabh Rawat then orally remarked, “Whosoever is press person, please try to understand, whatever argued in court can be reported but don't take screenshot of proceedings and don't put it anywhere...It's not fair.”

The court’s order said: “Without going into the specifics of the matter, it is impressed upon to all the media persons that henceforth the screen­shots of the live proceedings be not uploaded...However, there is no hindrance at all on joining and reporting the entire proceedings or arguments advanced by the parties or reporting upon the contents of charge­sheet and accompanying material in the chargesheet.”