COVID19 : Karnataka High Court Extends Interim Orders Till February 8 For Last Time

The Karnataka High Court has for the last time extended the interim orders passed by the High Court, all the District Courts, Civil Courts, Family Courts, Labour Courts, Industrial Tribunals and all other Tribunals in the State, as well as the order of closure under Section 4 of the Limitation Act, 1963, till February 8.

A division bench led by Chief Justice Abhay Oka said "The interim order mentioned in clauses (i) to (iii) of paragraph 35 of the order dated 16th April 2020, shall continue to operate only till February 8, 2021 and it will not be extended any further."

The bench observed that "Considering the fact that the situation created due to pandemic COVID-19 has not completely improved, the period of closure under Section 4 of the Limitation Act, 1963 in respect of the High Court of Karnataka, Principal Bench at Bengaluru and Benches at Dharwad and Kalaburagi, and all the District Courts, Trial Courts, Family Courts, Labour Courts and Industrial Tribunals in the State of Karnataka is hereby finally extended till February 8, 2021.

It added "It is specifically clarified that this extension will not affect the present functioning of all the Courts including the High Court of Karnataka in the State of Karnataka as per the prevailing Standard Operating Procedures.Notwithstanding the extension of closure under Section 4 of the Limitation Act, 1963, all Courts in the State of Karnataka including the High Court of Karnataka will continue to function as per the notified Standard Operating Procedures."

The court accordingly issued the following interim order.

(i) All interim orders passed by the Karnataka High Court, all the District Courts, Civil Courts, Family Courts, Labour Courts, Industrial Tribunals and all other Tribunals in the State over which this Court has power of superintendence, which are due to expire within a period of one month from today, will continue to operate for a period of one month from today. We, however, make it clear that those interim orders which are not of a limited duration and are to operate till further orders will remain unaffected.

(ii) If the Criminal Courts in the State have granted bail orders or anticipatory bail for a limited period which are likely to expire in one month from today, the said orders will stand extended for a period of one month from today.

(iii) If any orders of eviction, dispossession or demolition are already passed by the High Court, District or Civil Courts, the same shall remain in abeyance for a period of one month from today.

 Click here to read the order