The Kerala High Court has taken serious note of the unauthorised recording and online publication of its court proceedings, directing that an advocate facing contempt proceedings shall not participate in any court proceedings in Kerala through online or virtual mode until further orders.
The order was passed by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. on August 20, 2026.
Background of the Case
The proceedings arose after the Registry reported that court proceedings had allegedly been recorded and uploaded on a YouTube account despite earlier warnings. The High Court noted that such recording and uploading was contrary to Rule 3(9) of the Electronic Audio-Video Linkage Rules (Kerala), 2025.
The Rule requires confidentiality of proceedings and prohibits broadcasting, photographing, publishing, recording or sharing them without written permission.
The Court noted:
“The aforesaid provision expressly prohibits broadcasting, photographing, publishing, recording or sharing of proceedings conducted under the Rules, either wholly or in part, except with the written permission of the High Court, Court or Forum.”
The Bench also referred to an interim order of the Supreme Court dated July 24, 2026, which restricted the extraction, dissemination, uploading, transmission, modification, storing or hosting of audio-video recordings of judicial proceedings on digital platforms without prior permission.
Court's Observation
The High Court further observed that the titles accompanying the two videos - referring to alleged denial of justice to MSMEs and stating that “cameras cannot lie” - constituted criminal contempt under Section 2(c)(i) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
Considering that the alleged contemnor is an advocate, the Bench said it was not formally issuing a contempt rule at this stage. However, it directed that notice be served within one week.
Decision
The High Court directed that the advocate shall not participate in any court proceedings in Kerala through online or virtual mode until further orders. The matter has been made returnable on September 7, 2026.
The Registry was also directed to circulate the order among judges and district courts and communicate it to the concerned authorities.
Case Details
Case Title: Suo Motu Proceedings Initiated by the High Court v. Adv. Mathews J. Nedumpara
Case Number: Cont. Case (Crl.) No. 8 of 2026
Judges: Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M.
Decision Date: August 20, 2026
