Full Breakdown
Supreme Court Ends Live Streaming of Case Mentions Ahead of New Restrictions
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
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Supreme Court Halts Live Streaming of Case Mentions
On October 28, 2026, the Supreme Court of India stopped the live-streaming of “case mentioning” proceedings before the bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant. Case mentioning is a procedural step that allows lawyers or litigants appearing in person to request an urgent hearing or early listing of a matter, either orally or in writing. The decision to end the broadcast followed the Chief Justice’s expressed displeasure the previous day after a lawyer raised a matter involving Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
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Procedural Background of Case Mentioning
The practice of case mentioning has long been used to bring attention to pending matters that require swift judicial consideration. While it can expedite hearings, senior advocates have sometimes employed it without clearly outlining the underlying issue, prompting concerns about procedural abuse. The Supreme Court’s move to cease live streaming reflects an effort to curb such perceived misuse while maintaining transparency through other channels.
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Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant’s Response and New Circular
Chief Justice Surya Kant described the unchecked use of case mentioning as “the biggest nuisance” and asserted that the practice “should stop completely.” In a circular issued shortly after the live-streaming suspension, the Court stipulated that no senior counsel shall be permitted to make oral mentions before any bench effective November 2, 2026. The same circular encouraged “young and junior counsels” to make oral mentions instead, signaling a shift toward involving less-experienced lawyers in the procedure.
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Implementation Timeline
- October 27, 2026 – CJI Surya Kant voiced displeasure after a mention concerning Rahul Gandhi.
- October 28, 2026 – Live streaming of case mentions before the CJI’s court was discontinued.
- November 2, 2026 (scheduled) – The new circular’s restrictions on senior advocates take effect, with junior counsel encouraged to assume the role of oral mentioning.
These steps mark a notable adjustment in the Supreme Court’s handling of procedural requests, aiming to reduce perceived nuisances while fostering greater participation from junior members of the bar.