Inappropriate video disrupts Kolkata High Court live stream during Judge hearing

A shocking incident unfolded during a live stream of a Kolkata High Court hearing when an obscene video unexpectedly interrupted the broadcast. The disruption occurred while Judge Shubhendu Samanta was presiding over legal proceedings, which were being streamed on YouTube for public access. Viewers were taken aback by the inappropriate content, prompting immediate action from court officials to terminate the live stream and prevent further viewing of the explicit material.

The High Court is currently operating under a temporary bench due to vacation periods, with proceedings being held in designated courtrooms. The hearing was taking place in Room 7, where Judge Samanta was addressing various cases. Following the disruption, sources from the High Court confirmed that the IT cell would conduct a comprehensive investigation to determine how such inappropriate content was able to infiltrate the live stream.

As part of the investigation, officials are scrutinizing the security measures in place for online broadcasts of court sessions. This includes assessing whether the incident resulted from a hacking attempt or negligence on the part of High Court staff. Notably, no formal complaint has been lodged with the nearby Hair Street police station as of now, but inquiries into potential staff misconduct are ongoing. The High Court is keen to understand the circumstances surrounding the breach of decorum during a legal proceeding.

This incident is particularly concerning given the backdrop of cybersecurity issues faced by India’s judicial system. Just a month prior, the Supreme Court's official YouTube channel experienced a significant security breach when critical videos related to ongoing cases vanished overnight. This incident raised serious questions about the safety of digital content hosted by the judiciary, leading to discussions on the urgent need for improved cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive legal information.

In light of the recent disruption, the High Court is committed to ensuring that the integrity of its proceedings is maintained and that such incidents do not recur in the future. Officials are likely to review current streaming protocols and implement stricter security measures to safeguard against similar breaches. As investigations progress, the High Court aims to restore public confidence in the digital broadcasting of judicial proceedings and uphold the professionalism expected of the legal system.