[Covid and Courts] Kerala Courts Dispose 10919 Cases Via Video Conferencing

LiveLaw has taken an initiative to analyse the functioning of High Courts across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have taken various parameters such as the volume of cases filed, the number of cases disposed, the proactive steps taken by the High Courts, guidance to the subordinate judiciary etc. This data compilation will be an ongoing work and periodically revised with the inputs. In view of Covid-19, there are certain limitations in data mining, and we seek our readers support to get more information into the functioning of various High Courts. We would like approach the issues positively and support the justice delivery system with creative suggestions and analysis of data. We have carried a similar review in the case of Allahabad High Court, Sikkim High Court and Telangana High Court, and will continue with the effort to cover all High Courts in India. Covid Situation in Kerala The first confirmed case of the coronavirus infection in India was reported from the state of Kerala on 30 January, 2020. As of date, it has 6195 confirmed cases, 3559 cured and 27 patients are reported dead (Source: mygov.in). While the Central Government has eased restrictions to a large extent, the Kerala Government recently issued a notification extending the enforcement of state's COVID-19 regulations till July 2021. The Kerala High Court has also been prompt in taking concrete measures to tackle the situation, and the chart below traces the approach adopted by the high court in a chronological order: Date Particulars March 11, 2020 An Office Memorandum was issued by the High Court Registrar instructing all the Principal District and Sessions Judges to not insist on personal appearance of parties unless indispensable. It also relaxed regular court procedure and directed subordinate courts to adjourn such cases by notification that are not to be taken up for trial. March 16, 2020 Keeping in view the rise in Covid cases, the High Court put an absolute restriction on the entry of public/ litigants in the High Court complex. It was clarified that only those individuals who are summoned by the Court will be permitted to enter. The High Court also thereby mandated: Frequent sanitation of common areas of contact inside the court complex viz. Handrails of stairs and escalators, doorknobs, lift switches, etc; Thermal Screening of all those who enter the High Court complex March 18, 2020 The Kerala High Court was among the first judicial forums to take note of the rising prices of essential commodities, viz., face masks and hand sanitizers during hearing of a PIL and it ordered the Government to promptly put a cap on the same. March 20, 2020 Keeping in view the advisory against mass gatherings, the High Court restricted its functioning to hear only urgent matters until after the Summer-vacation. It also automatically extended all Stay/interim order, that were expiring before May 18, 2020, to avoid physical appearance of parties. Furthermore, the High Court took the following steps to avoid the crowding: · Shifted half the number of Filing Scrutiny Officers to a new location near to the Filing Section; · Provided Help Desks in the entrance of the Copying Section, Court Officers' Section & Data Entry Section · Permitted Court staff to attend office on rotation basis; March 23, 2020 The High Court became the first court in the country to hold hearings via video conferencing, amid the pandemic threat, and heard eight bail applications through the same. March 23, 2020 Given the rising threat of the infection. The high court was declared shut from March 24 till April 8. It was notified that Court will observe limited functioning on Tuesdays and Fridays for urgent matters. March 24, 2020 In view of announcement of nation-wide lockdown, the HC instructed all the Judicial Officers of its subordinate courts to hear urgent matters from their respective residences. March 25, 2020 In view of announcement of nation-wide lockdown, the Full Bench of the High Court registered a suo moto and extended the closure period of the HC till April 14. The Court also extended the subsistence of all the interim orders passed by it and the courts subordinate to it till April 14. March 25, 2020 Taking note of the impact of national lockdown on the workings of the offices of advocates and government law officers and their support staff, the High Court of Kerala directed that the police should not make arrests, except where it is inevitable. March 28,...

[Covid and Courts] Kerala Courts Dispose 10919 Cases Via Video Conferencing

Akshita Saxena

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