Supreme Court Enforces Strict Prohibition on Photography and Videography in High Security Zone

In a significant move aimed at preserving the dignity, decorum, and security of the judiciary, the Supreme Court of India has formally issued a circular prohibiting photography and videography within the High Security Zone of its premises. The circular, bearing No. 183/27/security/2025/SG dated 10.10.2025 signed by Secretary General Mr. Shekhar C. Munghate, is effective immediately and applies to all stakeholders, including advocates, litigants, interns, media personnel, and staff of the Registry.

This directive follows increasing concerns—voiced recently by the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) and the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA)—over the proliferation of social media content, video "reels," and other audiovisual materials being created within the court complex without authorization. The Bar associations had urged the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India to take formal action to prevent the court premises from being used for self-promotional or unprofessional content.

Key Provisions of the Circular

1. Complete prohibition on photography and videography inside the High Security Zone, except for official purposes.
2. Media personnel are restricted to conducting interviews and live broadcasts only at their designated location, i.e., the lawn situated within the Low Security Zone.
3. The use of mobile phones for photography and videography is explicitly prohibited even in the lawn area of the High Security Zone.
4. Equipment such as cameras, tripods, and selfie-sticks used for videography, content creation, or photography are now restricted within the High Security Zone unless officially sanctioned.
5. In case of violations by legal professionals—including advocates, interns, law clerks, or litigants—the matter shall be referred to the respective Bar Association or State Bar Council for appropriate disciplinary action under their rules.
6. In the event of violations by media personnel, their access to the High Security Zone may be suspended for a period of one month.
7. Any staff member of the Registry found violating the guidelines will face strict disciplinary action, and in case of other institutional stakeholders, their respective Head of Department will be requested to initiate proceedings under the relevant service rules.
8. Security personnel have been expressly empowered to disallow any individual—including advocates, staff members, or visitors—from taking photographs or making videos inside the High Security Zone.
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Legal and Ethical Implications

The circular marks a clear demarcation between the permissible boundaries of transparency and the necessity of maintaining judicial decorum. While the judiciary has embraced regulated transparency through live-streaming of certain constitutional bench proceedings, the current directive draws a firm line against unauthorized, informal, and potentially promotional content creation within court premises.

The move also aligns with the ethical obligations imposed under the Bar Council of India Rules, which prohibit any form of advertisement or solicitation by legal practitioners. Use of court premises for creating visual content that may serve promotional ends can be construed as a violation of these professional standards.

Security and Institutional Integrity

Beyond ethics, the circular emphasizes institutional security. The High Security Zone—typically encompassing courtrooms, judges' chambers, and sensitive administrative offices—is not only a space of adjudication but also a protected zone under constant surveillance. Unauthorized photography or filming in these areas may compromise the operational and physical security of the institution. The delegation of enforcement powers to security personnel and heads of departments underscores the seriousness with which the Supreme Court views this issue.

Conclusion

This circular represents a firm and formal response to concerns that have been gaining traction within the legal fraternity regarding the use—and misuse—of court premises for content creation. By issuing clear, enforceable guidelines and defining accountability mechanisms, the Hon’ble Supreme Court seeks to restore and reinforce the dignity, solemnity, and institutional integrity of the highest judicial forum in the country. Going forward, all stakeholders—legal practitioners, litigants, media, and court staff—are expected to adhere strictly to these guidelines in the interest of upholding the ethos of the judiciary.