No Courtroom Videos, Political Posts Or Social Media Earnings: Allahabad HC Issues 7 Restrictions For Judicial Officers And Staff

The Allahabad High Court has barred judicial officers and court staff from recording or sharing videos, photographs, and audio clips of courtroom proceedings, official functions, and official premises on personal digital platforms.

An office memorandum issued by the high court's Establishment Section on October 27, following orders passed by the Chief Justice on October 26, lists seven restrictions for judicial officers, officials and employees of the high court, including its Lucknow Bench, and the district judiciary.

The memorandum states that the restrictions have been issued to address “contemporary digital vulnerabilities” and warns that any violation will invite immediate disciplinary action.

Under the first restriction, no judicial officer, official or employee can record, upload, broadcast or stream videos, photographs, snippets or audio clips relating to courtroom proceedings, office interiors, corridors, judges' chambers, residential offices or official functions on personal digital platforms.

The high court has also barred judicial officers and staff from using social media accounts operated in the names of family members, relatives, associates or other third parties to share official information or content related to their work.

The restriction also covers material obtained by employees during their official duties or recorded within court premises.

The memorandum directs judicial personnel to discourage family members from posting or sharing institutional privileges acquired through their association with the judiciary.

Political posts and online campaigns prohibited

In compliance with Rule 5 of the Uttar Pradesh Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1956, court has prohibited any judicial officer, official, or employee of the high court or the district judiciary from posting, promoting, or amplifying any political agenda, party, or candidate.

The ban also covers online political campaigns, partisan hashtags and participation in public debates on government actions, legislative policies or elections.

It further prohibits activities such as liking, reposting, sharing or commenting on “highly volatile or politically charged content”.

No earnings through social media accounts

In compliance with Rule 15 of the 1956 Rules, court has restricted judicial officers and employees from earning money through social media accounts using material related to their official work. The high court has prohibited them from activating monetisation features, accepting corporate sponsorships or receiving advertising revenue.

The memorandum states that monetising a personal YouTube channel, public blog or Instagram profile through content derived from official duties or recorded within court complexes would amount to “engaging in unapproved private trade or employment”.

It adds that any revenue earned through such channels “will trigger immediate disciplinary action for major penalties”.

Only authorised officials can share court information

The memorandum further directs that official media updates, public notifications and educational material relating to court operations must be issued only through the authorised media cell, the relevant section of the high court or district court, or other authorised personnel.

“No individual judicial officer, official, and Class-IV employee may act as an independent publisher of institutional work,” it states.

However, the restrictions do not apply to official documents, notifications or institutional information that has been expressly approved by the competent authority for public dissemination or wider circulation.

The memorandum states that any violation reported to the Registry will lead to disciplinary proceedings under the Allahabad High Court Officers and Staff (Conditions of Service and Conduct) Rules, 1976, or the Uttar Pradesh State District Court Service Rules, 2013, read with the Uttar Pradesh Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1956.

The Registrar (Judicial), Establishment, has directed all officers, officials and employees of the high court at Allahabad and its Lucknow Bench to ensure strict compliance, warning that any non-compliance will invite immediate disciplinary action.