Answer By law4u team
Yes, the public can attend Supreme Court hearings in India, but there are certain conditions and procedures involved. Here are the key details: 1. Open Court Principle – The Supreme Court of India generally conducts hearings in open court, meaning the public and press are allowed to attend, in line with the principle of transparency and accountability in the judiciary. – Article 145(4) of the Constitution states that all judgments shall be delivered in open court, and hearings are ordinarily open to the public unless the court directs otherwise. 2. Entry Pass Requirement – Members of the public need to obtain an entry pass (admission card) to attend the hearing. – These passes can be: Requested through a registered advocate of the Supreme Court, or Sought via a written application to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Supreme Court stating the purpose. 3. Identification and Security – Valid photo ID proof is required at entry. – Visitors must go through security checks, and electronic devices like mobile phones are usually not allowed inside courtrooms. 4. Live Streaming (Limited Cases) – Some constitutional bench hearings and important public interest matters are live-streamed online, allowing virtual public access. 5. Exceptions – The Court may hold in-camera proceedings (closed-door hearings) in sensitive cases, such as: Rape or sexual abuse cases National security issues Juvenile or family law matters – In such cases, public access is restricted. In summary: Yes, the public can attend Supreme Court hearings, but they need to follow the prescribed procedure for passes, provide ID proof, and respect courtroom discipline and security rules.
