The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued an office order allowing physical resumption of its 11 benches and subordinate courts on alternate days from January 18 to February 20 in view of the declining intensity of the spread of Covid-19 pandemic in Delhi.
The Court allowed both its 11 benches and subordinate courts to continue taking up matters through video conferencing on non-physical days.
The Delhi High Court directed the Principal District and Session Judges and Principal Judge, Family Courts to prepare roster of all subordinate courts of their respective districts in such a manner that such courts sit physically on alternate day basis and continue to take up the matter through video conferencing on non-physical days. “Such roster be made effective from 18.01.2021,” it said.
It also directed the subordinate courts to record evidence except in cases where the accused is in custody while scrupulously adhering to the norms of social distancing, when holding courts physically.
The officer order further reads,
“It has further been ordered that adequate arrangement be also made by all the Principal District & Sessions Judges, in coordination with Director General (Prison) and concerned Incharge (Lockup), for production of UTPs before the physical courts w.e.f. 01.02.2021 and thereafter their cases be taken up on priority basis and evidence be also recorded in such matters.”
It requested all the advocates, litigants and other various visitors to the District Courts Complexes to strictly adhere to the norms of social distancing and other Covid-19 related guidelines issued by the Central/State Governments.
The High Court as well as Subordinate Courts in the NCT of Delhi are working virtually since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and orders from time to time were issued by the High Court for continuation of Virtual Courts system.
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