ILNS: The Supreme Court Bar Association on today wrote to Chief Justice NV Ramana, requesting him to advance the summer vacations, to start from April 26, and to grant permission to turn Lawyers Chamber block in the new additional Apex Court complex into a COVID care facility, in view of the increasing COVID cases, which has put immense pressure on health care facilities.
In a letter written to CJI NV Ramana, the Supreme Court Bar Association requested that the court may consider advancing the summer vacations, as there is likelihood that Coronavirus cases may reach their peak in mid-May. It will cause immense pressure on the Judiciary and its functioning and the same may be viewed by way of it, said the Association.
“With the rise in the number of Covid cases, the Delhi Government has extended lockdown in Delhi by another week. Given the current situation and likelihood of the pandemic touching its peak in the middle of May which may result in further extension of the lockdown in Delhi, it is requested that the Supreme Court may consider preponing the summer vacations, so that the same may commence from Monday itself (April 26). The summer vacations can be curtailed by one week, so as to limit it to six weeks instead of seven, considering the huge pendency created due to the pandemic. Accordingly, it is requested that the summer vacation may end by the June 6, and the normal Courts can start from June 7, 2021.”
The Association also requested to approve the temporary conversion of the Advocates Chamber Block in the Additional Supreme Court Complex for use as COVID Care centre or field hospital. It can be used for the members of SCBA and their family members, as well as for the Registry and the staff of the Supreme Court and their families, it added.
The Bar Association said it has written the letter in view of the prevailing pandemic, which has caused immense disruption to the legal fraternity across the country. It said, “The Supreme Court Bar is no exception. Our members are suffering every day and the second wave of COVID-19 infection is now devastating their lives. The demise of many of our members, including many senior members over the last few days, is particularly distressing and shocking.”
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It further said that in such difficult and unprecedented times, the Supreme Court Bar Association has taken the initiative to provide as much aid and support as it can, to its members and their families.
“The lack of medical infrastructure in and around Delhi has hampered the admission of our members and their families in hospitals in this hour of need. In view of the same, the association has requested to take into consideration the above-mentioned suggestions in order to save the precious lives of its members and their families in this pandemic time,” it added.