NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India’s official YouTube channel was compromised on Friday. Typically used for live streaming hearings of Constitution Bench cases and issues of public significance, the channel is now displaying videos promoting XRP, a cryptocurrency created by the US company Ripple Labs.
The hack was revealed when a video titled “Brad Garlinghouse: Ripple Responds To The SEC’s $2 Billion Fine! XRP PRICE PREDICTION” appeared on the channel.
Brad Garlinghouse, the CEO of Ripple Labs, is involved in legal battles with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The hackers also appear to have set previous videos of Supreme Court hearings to private.
This incident coincides with the Supreme Court’s schedule to hear several critical cases, including a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that requests a specific timeframe for the Centre to announce the appointment of judges recommended by the SC Collegium. Another significant case involves SpiceJet’s appeal against a Delhi High Court ruling that grounded three of its aircraft engines over unpaid dues. Furthermore, the Court was poised to hear a plea from the Muslim side opposing an Allahabad High Court order regarding the maintainability of cases brought by Hindu parties concerning the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute. Recently, the Supreme Court also live streamed hearings related to the sensitive RG Kar hospital and college rape and murder case.
The Supreme Court began live streaming all Constitution Bench hearings following a landmark unanimous decision made by a full court meeting led by then Chief Justice UU Lalit in 2018.
