The High Court of Karnataka has extended the period of closure of the High Court and the lower Courts till 16th May 2020, in the wake of the current pandemic and nationwide lockdown.
The Court had previously through its notifications on March 23rd , March 24th and March 25th 2020 informed about the closure of the High Court.
The period of closure of all the District Courts, Family Courts, Labour Courts and Industrial Tribunals in the State has been extended till May 16th
Accordingly, on the sitting days, only a skeletal staff of the branches dealing with filing, Board, pending, scrutiny, copying, HCA=II and Office of Registry have been directed to attend the office work. The personal staff attached to the Chambers and Court Halls of the Judges who hold sitting on these days were directed to attend the work. The rest of the office was asked to not attend the office till the time of closure unless specific directions are given by the Registrars.
The period of closure of the High Court has been extended till May 16th including its Benches at Dharwad and Kalaburagi for purpose of Section 4 of the Limitation Act 1963 which talks about expiry of prescribed period when court is closed. It states that when the prescribed period for any suit, appeal or application expires on a day when the court is closed, it may be instituted or made on the day when the court reopens. According to the provision, A court will be deemed to be closed on any day if during any part of its normal working hours it remains closed on that day.
-India Legal Bureau