New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has ordered the removal of a video recording of court proceedings involving Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case from various social media platforms.

A bench comprising justices Neena Bansal Krishna and Amit Sharma has issued notices to six individuals, including Sunita Kejriwal, as well as to social media platforms X, Meta, and YouTube. This action follows a petition alleging violations of the video conferencing (VC) rules of the Delhi High Court.

“Prima facie it is observed that the court proceeding recording is violative of Rule 3(vi) of Delhi High Court Video Conferencing Rules, 2021 and cannot be permitted to remain in public domain,” the bench said in its 6-page order.

The high court directed the social media sites to immediately take down the audio or video recording from their respective platforms.

During the hearing, the bench asked the respondents, including the six individuals, to take down the content from social media platforms.

However, the order uploaded on the court website said, “The social media platforms namely X (formerly ‘Twitter'), Meta (formerly ‘Facebook'), Instagram and YouTube are hereby directed to remove forthwith the audio/ video recording from their respective platforms”.

The court also mentioned the list of URLs to be removed and said it should be ensured that the audio/ video is not re-uploaded on their platforms till further orders.

The court passed an ex-parte ad-interim order and listed the matter for further hearing on July 9.

"Notice of the petition be issued to other respondent no.1 to 7, to be served through ordinary post and electronic mode, returnable for the next date of hearing. The order be communicated within 48 hours to the respondent (s)," the bench said.

Singh's petition alleges that during Arvind Kejriwal's appearance before a trial court on March 28 following his arrest in the Delhi excise policy case, Kejriwal opted to speak in person. Subsequently, a video recording of these proceedings was shared on social media platforms, which violates the High Court of Delhi Rules for Video Conferencing for Courts, 2021.

As per these rules, unauthorized recording of court proceedings by any individual or entity is strictly prohibited. The video was allegedly re-posted by Sunita Kejriwal and the others.

In the public interest litigation (PIL), the petitioner sought the formation of an SIT to investigate and register an FIR against the alleged conspiracy of recording and sharing the audio and video of the court proceedings and putting the life of the trial court judge at high risk.

"Several members of the Aam Aadmi Party, including members of various other opposition parties, have intentionally and deliberately and with wilful intention to malign and manipulate the court proceedings done the audio and video recording of the court proceedings and circulated on social media platforms," the plea said.

It also sought a direction to conduct a thorough investigation to identify the individuals responsible for recording and sharing audio and video recordings of the court proceedings.

The plea sought to "punish the alleged contemnor as per the provisions of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, and impose strict penalties on the individuals found guilty of violation of VC Rules 2021 of this Hon'ble court, as per the provisions specified in law".

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested in the money laundering case stemming from the Delhi excise policy 'scam' on March 21 and has been lodged in Tihar jail under judicial custody. PTI