COVID Omicron: Rajasthan High Court To Have Only Virtual Hearings From January 5 To January 14

Considering the instant surge in Covid-19 cases and the spread of its highly infectious Omicron variant during the last couple of weeks and the preventive measures adopted by the State Government, the Rajasthan High Court has decided to have only virtual hearings from January 5, to 14, 2022.This decision has been taken for the safety and security of all concerned, a notification issued in this regard states.During this period, as far as possible, only 75% of the court staff will be called to attend the office on a rotational basis. The remaining staff shall work from home and shall not leave the headquarters without prior permission of the concerned Authority. An SOP has also been issued by the High Court in this regard (attached at the bottom of this story).In a separate notification issued by the High Court, aII the Subordinate Courts/Special Courts/Tribunals of Jaipur Metropolitan-I, Jaipur Metropolitan-Il, Jaipur District, Jodhpur Metropolitan and Jodhpur District Judgeships situated at Jaipur and Jodhpur Headquarters have been directed to function only through the virtual mode from 05.01.2022 till 14.01.2022."During this period, hearing of all categories of cases shall take place except recording of evidence. However, the courts shall be free to record the evidence only through video conferencing whenever possible in cases in which accused is/are in judicial custody and cases in which directions for time bound disposal have been issued," the Notification further states.It may be noted that many High Courts have switched to the virtual mode of hearing in view of the recent surge of COVID cases pan India. The Patna High Court has decided to function exclusively through the virtual mode after certain judges and staff members tested positive for COVID-19. Yesterday, in view of the sudden surge in Covid-19 cases in the States of Punjab, Haryana, and Union Territory Chandigarh and with a view to ensuring the safety of Judges, Advocates, Staff, and Litigants, the Punjab and Haryana High Court decided to hear cases only though Virtual Mode from January 5.Due to an increase in COVID-19 cases and the Omicron variant, the Supreme Court has also decided to revert to the virtual hearing mode for the next two weeks.In view of the threat of the Covid pandemic and also sudden spurt and a spike in COVID-19 cases in the State of Jharkhand and Ranchi in particular, the Jharkhand High Court has also decided to function in VC mode with effect from today, i.e., January 3.Further, in view of the threat of the imminent third wave of the Covid pandemic and also the alarming rise in the number of Covid affected cases, the Calcutta High Court has also decided to function through virtual mode only with effect from January 3.The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has decided to hear cases through Virtual Mode only from January 4 to January 21 and the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has also decided to revert to Virtual Mode of hearing from January 3, 2022, to January 31, 2022.On December 30, the Delhi High Court had decided that the High Court and district courts would be functioning through virtual mode only with effect from January 3 to January 15, 2022.A day after Allahabad High Court decided to hear cases virtually in view of rising cases of COVID in the state of Uttar Pradesh, the High Court yesterday issued a revised notification allowing for a Hybrid mode of hearing (in both the benches of HC) w.e.f. January 4.Click Here To Read/Download Notice and SOP

COVID Omicron: Rajasthan High Court To Have Only Virtual Hearings From January 5 To January 14

Sparsh Upadhyay

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