Madhya Pradesh HC Expands Scope Of Matters To Be Heard By Subordinate Courts

The courts in the state of Madhya Pradesh resorted to restrictive functioning on March 25, 2020. Thereby, it was decided that "No matter, unless it is urgent or eminently emergent, shall be entertained except with the permission of Hon'ble the Chief Justice in case of the High Court and District Judge or Principal Judge, Family Court or In-charge Officer thereof in case of Subordinate Court or Family Court."

In modification to this, the High Court has now stated,

"in addition to the 'urgent and emergent cases', the subordinate courts shall be taking up those cases for hearing by video conferencing which are the stage of the final hearing and such civil and criminal cases which can be disposed of only on the basis of the arguments of the Advocates and without recording of any evidence by the concerned court."

The Circular further provides that the Courts may request advocates to submit written arguments instead of oral arguments. The courts have also been cautioned to observe all social distancing norms and ensure absolute sanitization.

Till 22^nd June, 2020 the total number of cases dealt through Video Conferencing at High Court of Madhya Pradesh, Jabalpur and Bench at Indore and Gwalior is 14,721 and at District Courts is 65,310.