Courtroom Surveillance and AV Integration at Telangana High Court, Hyderabad

objective:

The Telangana High Court aimed to improve transparency, modernize its courtroom infrastructure, and provide secure public access to its proceedings through live streaming and video conferencing. The project also sought to strengthen internal security, enable direct communication with remote participants, and improve the clarity of court audio for better understanding during sessions. Brihaspathi Technologies was brought in to provide a comprehensive solution to meet these evolving needs.

103

IP Cameras Installed

35

Dome Cameras Installed

68

PTZ Cameras Installed

Challenges :

  1. 1 Distributed Courtroom LayoutThe court has multiple halls and support rooms that required camera coverage and integration, each with different surveillance and technical requirements.
  2. 2 Old Infrastructure: Laying inter-cabling in aging buildings presented logistical issues. The team was required to work overnight to avoid disrupting court proceedings during the day.
  3. 3 Server Room SetupIntegrating a large number of cameras and network devices into a centralized server environment was technically demanding and had to be completed without system delays or failure.
  4. 4 Public Access and Privacy: Balancing real-time public access with strict legal privacy requirements meant designing a system that only captured appropriate courtroom interactions.
  5. 3 Unified Communication Needs :The court needed one platform to handle both live streaming and video conferencing, including direct interaction with prisoners unable to appear in person.
  6. 4 Audio Clarity: Existing courtroom audio systems were not sufficient for clear communication, particularly in larger halls with more attendees.

Solutions :

  1. 1 CCTV Camera Installation:
    • Installed 103 high-definition IP CCTV cameras, including 68 PTZ cameras and 35 dome cameras, across courtrooms and key public areas.
    • Cameras were placed strategically—one in front of the magistrate and others positioned to view legal teams and attendees.
    • Privacy-compliant placement ensured that sensitive discussions were not captured
  2. 2 Live Streaming and Video Management:
    • Developed a centralized live streaming platform with encrypted access via a web portal for public, media, and legal professionals.
    • Implemented a dedicated streaming server with archiving capabilities to allow for retrieval of past sessions.
    • Integrated OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) and Video Management System (VMS) to combine live streaming and video conferencing into a single dashboard.
  3. 3 Audio-Visual Integration:
    • Installed high-clarity audio systems to improve courtroom communication for judges, lawyers, and public attendees.
    • Supported direct communication with prisoners through remote video links for sessions where physical presence was not possible
  4. 4 Network and Infrastructure Setup:
    • Deployed 6F Optical Fiber Cable, Cat 6 cabling, and robust switches.
    • Built a new server room with 4U racks and required accessories including IO boxes, LIUs, and RJ45 ports.
  5. 5 Monitoring and Control Room Setup:
    • Equipped the High Court with a modern control room where court personnel can monitor live feeds and system status.
    • Provided training to court staff for system usage and response..
  6. 6 Ongoing Support and Maintenance:
    • Offered full post-installation support with routine maintenance visits and 24/7 on-call technical assistance.

RESULTS:

Complete Surveillance and Coverage:
- Every courtroom and designated public space was brought under live video coverage, allowing for real-time observation without gaps.

Unified Communication Platform:
- The new system allowed the court to conduct video conferencing and live streaming from the same interface, improving operational efficiency.

Public Engagement and Transparency:
-Citizens across India and even abroad were able to view court proceedings online, leading to higher public trust and institutional transparency.

Clearer Audio Proceedings:
- Integrated sound systems improved courtroom communication, reducing misunderstandings and improving legal dialogue.

Reduced Delays in Justice:
- Remote interaction with prisoners helped speed up hearings where travel or transfer delays were previously an issue.