Covid-19: Courts In Rajasthan To Function In Virtual Mode Till 8 February; HC Issues Guidelines For Functioning In Hybrid Mode From 9 February

The Registrar General also issued guidelines for regular hearing of cases in the aforementioned courts from 09.02.2022 till further orders both by physical presence and video conferencing (hybrid mode).

The circular read,

"For safety and security of all concerned, it is hereby notified that Rajasthan High Court shall function only through virtual mode till 08.02.2022 in terms of Notification No. Acus(Esu.)/llC/Misc./Coronal2022l12 dated 04.01.2022."

It added,

"Further, in view of gradual improvement in the conditions arising out of Covid-19 and relaxation in the conditions imposed by the State Government, in modification of Notification No. PA/RG/Misc.l2021ll377 dated 01.07.2021 and in supersession of all other Notifications, following guidelines for regular hearing of cases in Rajasthan High Court from 09.02.2022 till further orders both by physical presence and video conferencing (hybrid mode)."

On 28 Jan, 2022, amidst the rising threat of the third wave of Covid-19, the Rajasthan High Court had further extended its decision of functioning of its Principal Bench and Jaipur Bench only through virtual mode till 5 February 2022.

In addition, the Registrar General of the Rajasthan High Court also issued a circular notifying the extension of virtual hearing at Subordinate Courts, Special Courts and Tribunals in Rajasthan till 5 February 2022.

COVID-19: Rajasthan High Court, Subordinate Courts, Special Courts & Tribunals To Continue Functioning Through Virtual Mode Till 5 Feb

As per the circular, the aforesaid step was taken for the safety and security of all concerned.

Previously, on 21 January 2022, in view of the prevailing situation and spread of Covid-19, the Rajasthan High Court had decided to continue the functioning of all Subordinate Courts, Special Courts & Tribunals only through virtual mode till 29 January 2022.

Subordinate Courts, Special Courts & Tribunals In Rajasthan To Continue Functioning Only Through Virtual Mode Till January 29

Further, on 11 January 2022, considering the rapid increase in Covid-19 cases and spread of its highly infectious Omicron variant across the State and the preventive measures adopted by the State Government, the Registrar General of the High Court directed all the Subordinate Courts/ Special Courts/ Tribunals to function only through the virtual mode from 12 January till 21 January 2022.

Moreover, on 4 January 2022, the Rajasthan High Court had decided to have only virtual hearings at both Jodhpur and Jaipur Bench from January 5, to 14, 2022. An SOP was also issued by the High Court in this regard. This decision was further extended on 14 Jan 2022 through which the virtual hearings were extended till 28 January 2022.

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

In a separate notification, the High Court has also directed 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 to function only through the virtual mode from 05.01.2022 till 14.01.2022.