Delhi HC Directs Sunita Kejriwal To Remove Recorded Court Proceedings From Social Media
Petitioner Vaibhav Singh argued that multiple social media platforms associated with the AAP captured and distributed the online proceedings, thereby, violating the ‘High Court of Delhi Rules for Video Conferencing for Courts 2021’
On Saturday, the Delhi High Court ordered Sunita Kejriwal to remove videos she had recorded of court proceedings involving her husband, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, which she had posted on social media. The videos depicted Arvind Kejriwal arguing in person before the court following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged liquor policy scam.
The bench, comprising Justice Neena Bansal Krishna and Justice Amit Sharma while listing the matter for July 9, issued a notice in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against Sunita and others for allegedly violating the Video Conferencing Rules.
Background:
Lawyer Vaibhav Singh, the petitioner, identified several social media accounts responsible for sharing audio and video segments of Arvind Kejriwal's court appearance. On March 28th, Arvind Kejriwal personally addressed the Rouse Avenue Court, alleging that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was involved in an extortion scheme favoring the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in relation to the Delhi liquor policy case.
Singh claimed that after the hearing concluded, numerous social media profiles began circulating and reposting audio and video recordings of the courtroom events. He also asserted that Sunita Kejriwal shared an audio recording initially uploaded by a Twitter account named Akshay.
Singh further argued that recording court proceedings was prohibited under the 'High Court of Delhi Rules for Video Conferencing for Courts 2021'. He contended that disseminating such recordings was intended to tarnish the judiciary's reputation and that of the judges.
He further sought the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate and file FIRs against those involved in recording and sharing the court proceedings, thereby endangering the trial court judge. Singh further alleged a premeditated conspiracy orchestrated by Arvind Kejriwal and his associates to record the court sessions.
Case Title: Vaibhav Singh v Sunita Kejriwal and Ors.