Due to the sudden spike in Covid-19 cases across Uttar Pradesh, the Allahabad High Court has decided to restrict the functioning of regular Court in Lucknow and Allahabad till April 9.
Chief Justice Govind Mathur has passed this order after considering it from the Administrative Committee of Judges of the High Court.
The Chief Justice has directed that only special benches would work for urgent cases and fresh guidelines for functioning have been issued by the Registrar General.
“In consideration of recent spike in the number of cases of COVID 19 at Prayagraj and Lucknow, the Administrative Committee of the High Court has resolved for no sitting of regular courts from April 5, 2021, to April 9, 2021. During the period only special benches constituted for hearing of urgent matters shall hold Court at Allahabad & Lucknow. The details of Special benches and the procedure for filing urgency Application for hearing of urgent matters shall be notified under a separate notification.”, the order reads.
The High Court has also issued fresh guidelines for the functioning of the Court.
(1) The High Court will function with minimum strength and till further orders, only the special Benches constituted shall remain operational.
(2) The wearing of face-mask will be mandatory for entry in the High Court Premises.
(3) The Judges and their supporting staff (Private Secretary, Bench Secretary, Peon etc.) in minimum required number will attend the High Court.
(4) The Advocates (w.e.f. 03.04.2021) will file their Cases / Documents / Petitions / Applications in E-mode or in physical form, in the Stamp Reporting Section and the Application Section which will function at Counters.
(5) If any person is desirous of joining Court proceedings through Video Conferencing, then they shall have to send an email indicating his/her mobile number along with case details (Parties’ Name, Nature of Case, Case Number, Year etc.) and his email id with a request for being provided a Video Conferencing link to enable him to join the Court proceedings.
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(6) It has been laid down that consumption of liquor, ‘paan’, ‘gutka’, tobacco inside the premises of the High Court will be prohibited and consumption of the same will attract punishment. Further, spitting in the premises of the High Court is prohibited and will attract punishment.