'If This Is What You Want, We Will Stop Live Streaming': Karnataka HC Orally Tells Lawyer Seeking Archived Videos For Performance Evaluation
The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday (June 10) orally said that it would be constrained to stop live streaming of court proceedings after a petitioner-lawyer sought access to archival recordings for his own 'academic interest' and 'performance evaluation'.The single judge bench of Justice Suraj Govindaraj was hearing a petition filed by Advocate Angad Kamath, who has challenged the rejection...
The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday (June 10) orally said that it would be constrained to stop live streaming of court proceedings after a petitioner-lawyer sought access to archival recordings for his own 'academic interest' and 'performance evaluation'.
The single judge bench of Justice Suraj Govindaraj was hearing a petition filed by Advocate Angad Kamath, who has challenged the rejection of his application under Form III of the Karnataka Rules on Live Streaming and Recording of Court Proceedings, 2021, seeking access to archival recordings of certain proceedings.
When the matter came up before the court, the Kamath, appearing in person, submitted that the High Court has to respond to his prayer seeking access to court proceedings under the Live Streaming Rules.
He further told the Court that he had applied under Form III of the Live Streaming Rules, 2021, seeking archival data of proceedings before CH-15 where he had appeared on 13th November, 2025.
The Court then asked Kamath to clarify the purpose for which he sought access. Kamath responded that the purpose was academic purpose and for "performance evaluation".
At this stage the court orally asked, "Whose performance? Judges, yours, or the court's?". Kamath replied that it was his (advocate's) own performance that he sought to evaluate using the access.
At this juncture, the court orally said, “…. If this is what you want, we will stop live streaming”.The Bench then orally said that it would consider matters which are more important.
Directing Respondent Nos. 1 [High Court of Karnataka], 2 [Registrar IT] and 3 [Asst. Registrar IT] to file objections the court listed the matter for further hearing on July 1.
The high court had on January 19 had issued notice on the petition which also seeks formulation of Guidelines/Standard Operating Procedure on grant or refusal of access to archival recordings of court proceedings.
The plea was moved by advocate Angad Kamath who had made an application in form III under the 'Karnataka Rules on Live Streaming and Recording of Court Proceedings 2021' seeking archived records of certain proceedings, but was denied access by the Assistant Registrar (IT) under Rule 10 (1)(ii) and 10(2)(iv).
The petitioner seeks a direction for grant of access to petitioner to archival recordings sought by him under Form III application dated December 11, 2025.
In the interim it seeks direction for preservation of the recording conducted on November 13, 2025 in connection with WP 32849/2025 [case wherein the lawyer-petitioner had appeared] including all meta data.
Case title: ANGAD KAMATH v/s THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AND OTHERS
Case No: WP 773/2026