Porn clips repeatedly disrupt Delhi High Court Chief Justice’s hearings

Following the second breach, the VC system was shut down entirely and had not been resumed at the time of reporting.

The incident has raised serious questions about the security protocols governing virtual court hearings, which have become a regular feature since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Security risk

Court authorities are expected to review access controls and security measures for virtual hearings, including stricter authentication protocols and limitations on screen-sharing permissions, to prevent any recurrence of such incidents.

Past incidents

National Company Law Tribunal (Mumbai)-  Pornographic clips broadcast on court systems (December 2024)

In December 2024, proceedings linked to the National Company Law Tribunal  in Mumbai were seriously disrupted after unidentified persons hacked into digital display systems connected to courtroom functioning and broadcast pornographic video clips twice during working hours. 

Mumbai Police subsequently registered a case under the Information Technology Act and provisions relating to obscenity, with investigators probing how unauthorized access was gained to the tribunal’s network infrastructure.

National Company Law Tribunal (Kolkata Bench) – Obscene content shared during VC hearing (July 2025)

In July 2025, a virtual hearing before the (Kolkata Bench) was abruptly halted after an unidentified man entered the video conferencing session and began screen-sharing obscene and inappropriate content while the bench was hearing a matter.

The disruption lasted several minutes before court officials intervened and terminated the session, with members of the Bar expressing concern over the breach. A formal cybercrime complaint was filed thereafter, and the tribunal temporarily suspended virtual hearings while reviewing safeguards such as restricted screen-sharing and authenticated access.

Gujarat High Court- Indecent VC participation leading to SOP tightening (June–August 2025)

While not involving shared video content, proceedings before the in June 2025 drew widespread attention when a litigant joined a virtual hearing from a toilet, highlighting lapses in participant monitoring. 

In the months that followed, the court noted multiple instances of indecorous behaviour on VC platforms, and on August 10, 2025, formally revised its SOPs to warn that misconduct, including any act undermining the dignity of proceedings, could invite contempt action.

Allahabad High Court- Unprofessional conduct during VC hearing (2021)

In 2021, a case of inappropriate conduct surfaced when an advocate attempted to argue a matter via video conferencing while riding a scooter. Although not involving obscene content, the court treated the incident as a serious breach of professional standards, refusing to proceed and emphasising that virtual hearings require the same level of discipline and decorum as physical courtrooms.

Electronic Evidence and Video Conferencing Rules, 2025

The Electronic Evidence and Video Conferencing Rules, 2025, framed by the Delhi High Court, seek to streamline and formalise the use of digital platforms in judicial proceedings. 

These rules recognise video conferencing as a valid and enforceable mode for conducting trials, recording evidence, and enabling participation of parties, witnesses, and advocates, thereby enhancing accessibility and efficiency in the justice delivery system.

The Electronic Evidence and Video Conferencing Rules, 2025, framed by the Delhi High Court, seek to streamline and formalise the use of digital platforms in judicial proceedings. (Image enhanced using AI)

A central safeguard declares that all proceedings conducted through video conferencing shall be treated as judicial proceedings in their entirety, requiring adherence to the same standards of decorum and protocol as in physical courtrooms. 

This ensures that the virtual format does not dilute the authority of the court and that participants remain conscious of the seriousness and legal consequences of their conduct during such hearings.

Complementing this, other parts lay down explicit norms of conduct for participants in virtual hearings. A provison requires that participants maintain a disturbance-free environment by avoiding background noise, unnecessary movements, and interruptions, thereby ensuring smooth proceedings. 

The situation unfolded before a division bench led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia in the Delhi High Court. (Image enhanced using AI)

Another rule reinforces discipline by prohibiting offensive language, disrespectful conduct, or non-compliance with court directions, and provides that violations may result in removal from the session and potential legal consequences.

Together, these provisions underscore that while technology facilitates convenience and broader access to justice, it does not compromise the dignity, discipline, or binding nature of judicial proceedings. 

The rules reflect a careful balance between innovation and tradition, ensuring that the virtual courtroom remains as solemn and authoritative as its physical counterpart.