The Supreme Court in a historic verdict overruled its earlier judgment to conduct matrimonial cases through video conferencing. It said that no emotional bond can be created in a virtual meeting during video conferencing and it could even destroy the privacy of the proceedings.
The estranged husband and wife when left alone would be able to communicate with each other and this would be smothered if the medium is through video conferencing. The judges observed that if the proceedings are held in camera, it would be in keeping with the spirit of the Family Courts Act,1984. They further observed that reconciliation required the presence of both the parties at the same time and same place. This judgment was passed by a 3 judge bench of the Supreme Court with a 2:1 majority.
