The Hindu: New Delhi: Sunday, 01 March 2026.
With greater access to court proceedings and the live-streaming of hearings, both the Bench and the Bar must exercise restraint in avoiding sensational remarks that could compromise the integrity of proceedings, experts say at ‘Justice Unplugged: Shaping the Future of Law’ conclave
There has been a steady
dilution of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, which is significantly
undermining Constitutional guarantees, legal experts said at the ‘Justice
Unplugged: Shaping the Future’ of Law conclave organised by the VIT School of Law,
VIT Chennai, in association with The Hindu, in Delhi on Saturday (February 28,
2026).
There has been a steady dilution of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, which is significantly undermining Constitutional guarantees, legal experts said at the The Hindu Justice Unpligged 2026 on Saturday.
“Over the last decade, the RTI Act has become largely ineffectual. For all practical purposes, information that implicates Central agencies is rarely forthcoming. In the past 10 years, it has been in a ‘dead phase’. When it was enacted, it was a transformative piece of legislation for democratic accountability,” senior advocate Shadan Farasat said in a panel discussion on ‘Fundamental Rights in the Digital Age: The Constitution’s Response to Emerging Trends’.
Joining Mr. Farasat in the conversation with Aaratrika Bhaumik, Senior Sub-Editor, The Hindu, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan and M.S. Sharmila, Professor of Law, VIT School of Law, VIT Chennai, also observed that with greater access to court proceedings and the live-streaming of hearings, both the Bench and the Bar must exercise restraint in avoiding sensational remarks that could compromise the integrity of proceedings. “Traditionally, it is the Bench that is quoted in media reports, not the Bar,” Mr. Sankaranarayanan said. “If comments are made in open court, the media will inevitably report them. Instead of making sensational observations, the Bench can incorporate its views in a formal order.”
Addressing recent concerns expressed by the Supreme Court over abusive and obscene content on digital platforms and the need to regulate such commercial speech, the senior counsel said there was no regulatory vacuum warranting fresh legislation. He pointed out that adequate provisions already exist under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and various criminal law statutes to address obscenity.
“There are sufficient statutory safeguards in place. No new regulations are required to deal with obscenity,” he said, adding that what is considered profane or obscene is inherently subjective.
“There are sufficient statutory safeguards in place. No new regulations are required to deal with obscenity,” he said, adding that what is considered profane or obscene is inherently subjective.
Highlighting the need to strengthen digital literacy, Ms. Sharmila said citizens must be equipped to critically engage with emerging digital power structures. It was equally vital for individuals to be trained in AI systems so that they could engage with them responsibly and adapt to evolving societal needs, she said.
With greater access to court proceedings and the live-streaming of hearings, both the Bench and the Bar must exercise restraint in avoiding sensational remarks that could compromise the integrity of proceedings, experts say at ‘Justice Unplugged: Shaping the Future of Law’ conclave
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| (L-R) Senior Advocates of the Supreme Court Shadan Farasat, Gopal Sankaranarayanan and M.S. Sharmila, HoD Centre for Post Graduate Legal Studies, VIT, at The Hindu Justice Unplugged 2026 in New Delhi on February 28, 2026. Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy |
There has been a steady dilution of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, which is significantly undermining Constitutional guarantees, legal experts said at the The Hindu Justice Unpligged 2026 on Saturday.
“Over the last decade, the RTI Act has become largely ineffectual. For all practical purposes, information that implicates Central agencies is rarely forthcoming. In the past 10 years, it has been in a ‘dead phase’. When it was enacted, it was a transformative piece of legislation for democratic accountability,” senior advocate Shadan Farasat said in a panel discussion on ‘Fundamental Rights in the Digital Age: The Constitution’s Response to Emerging Trends’.
Joining Mr. Farasat in the conversation with Aaratrika Bhaumik, Senior Sub-Editor, The Hindu, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan and M.S. Sharmila, Professor of Law, VIT School of Law, VIT Chennai, also observed that with greater access to court proceedings and the live-streaming of hearings, both the Bench and the Bar must exercise restraint in avoiding sensational remarks that could compromise the integrity of proceedings. “Traditionally, it is the Bench that is quoted in media reports, not the Bar,” Mr. Sankaranarayanan said. “If comments are made in open court, the media will inevitably report them. Instead of making sensational observations, the Bench can incorporate its views in a formal order.”
Addressing recent concerns expressed by the Supreme Court over abusive and obscene content on digital platforms and the need to regulate such commercial speech, the senior counsel said there was no regulatory vacuum warranting fresh legislation. He pointed out that adequate provisions already exist under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and various criminal law statutes to address obscenity.
“There are sufficient statutory safeguards in place. No new regulations are required to deal with obscenity,” he said, adding that what is considered profane or obscene is inherently subjective.
“There are sufficient statutory safeguards in place. No new regulations are required to deal with obscenity,” he said, adding that what is considered profane or obscene is inherently subjective.
Highlighting the need to strengthen digital literacy, Ms. Sharmila said citizens must be equipped to critically engage with emerging digital power structures. It was equally vital for individuals to be trained in AI systems so that they could engage with them responsibly and adapt to evolving societal needs, she said.
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