The High Court of Andhra Pradesh after witnessing intrusions while hearing a case through Video Conferencing has directed physical hearing of rest of the case by maintaining social distance.
The bench comprising Chief Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice M Satyanarayana Murthy was hearing the Andhra Pradesh SEC case where sacked SEC Ramesh Kumar has challenged his removal in the High Court. During the course of hearing through video conferencing, the bench noticed that about 67 persons had joined the video conference, due to which there was congestion and severe disturbance caused during the hearing.
Though the bench dropped the unconnected persons, they still tried to join the video conference and the same situation continued for a while.
Unpleased by the situation the bench directed the parties not to share the details of ID and Password of video conference to any persons unconnected with the cases in which hearing would be taken up on the particular day and if any unrelated persons join the conference, the Advocates concerned may be responsible for the same.
In view of the disturbance caused to the hearing of the cases through video conference, the Counsels appearing in the matter requested the court to conduct physical hearing of the case by maintaining social distance.
On the other hand Senior Counsel, D.V.Sitarama Murthy, appearing on behalf of the petitioner insisted for grant of interim relief on the ground that the new incumbent has joined and he intends to proceed with the election process.
The bench however declined such request and directed physical hearing of the case and listed the case for next hearing on May 5.
-India Legal Bureau