P&H High Court Directs Subordinate Courts in State of Punjab, Haryana & U.T. Chandigarh To Start Functioning In Physical Mode

A Notification/Letter to this effect was issued on Friday (08^th January) by the Registrar General of Punjab & Haryana High Court.

However, the Notification/Letter has made it clear that the Guidelines/Health advisories issued by the Government of India and the respective State Governments from time to time, shall have to be strictly followed.

The Notification/Letter, addressed to all the District & Sessions Judges in the State of Punjab, Haryana and U.T. Chandigarh, further requests them to send weekly report regarding duration/time of sitting of each Presiding Officer in Court, number of cases listed before each Court, gist of work done and disposal thereof, on each day.

Further, all the District & Sessions Judges in the State of Punjab, Haryana and U.T. Chandigarh have been requested that they consult with the respective Bar Associations, Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, Civil Surgeon and other Health Authorities and amicably sort out all problems, if any, relating to physical hearing.

Notably, stating that there is large scale resentment amongst the lawyers' fraternity as the courts are not working physically, the Bar Council Of Punjab & Haryana had recently released a press note warning that if no decision is taken to start the physical hearing by 11^th January 2021 "then the action committee should resort to agitational mode".

Significantly, it may be noted that addressing a letter to the Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court, the Bar Council of Punjab & Haryana on Friday (02nd October) had requested the CJ to at-least start physical hearing in 50% courts simultaneously with virtual hearing.

"The Bar Council is sending this representation on behalf of all the Advocates of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh with earnest hope that the Hon'ble Chief Justice will heed to the request of legal fraternity and start the physical functioning of 50% courts by 12.10.2020, otherwise, the Bar Council will have no other option except to resort to peaceful agitation in order to provide some comfort to the advocates who are keenly waiting for the re-opening of Hon'ble Courts", read the letter.

Recently, the Patna High Court has decided to start functioning in physical mode purely on 'Experimental basis' for 'Two weeks' i.e., from 4.1.2021 till 15.1.2021 while observing the social distancing norms.

The competent authority has decided that the Court will start functioning in physical mode purely on "experimental basis" for "two weeks" i.e., from 4.1.2021 till 15.1.2021.

Importantly, while the Criminal Matters are being heard on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, the Civil Matters are being heard on Thursday.

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