Allahabad HC During COVID19

LiveLaw has taken an initiative to analyse the functioning of High Courts across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have taken various parameters such as the volume of cases filed, the number of cases disposed, the proactive steps taken by the High Courts, guidance to the subordinate judiciary etc. This data compilation will be an ongoing work and periodically revised with the inputs. In view of CoViD-19, there are certain limitations in data mining, and we seek our readers support to get more information into the functioning of various High Courts. We would like approach the issues positively and support the justice delivery system with creative suggestions and analysis of data. In this series, we have taken up Allahabad High Court, one of the oldest and largest High Courts in the Country, and its virtual adaptations in the time of pandemic. CoviD-19 Position in the State of Uttar Pradesh As on 16th June, 2020 the total number of CoviD-19 cases in Uttar Pradesh has crossed 13, 000 with 400 casualties and over 8000 recoveries. There has reportedly been an increase in the rate of addition of new cases since the easing of lockdown restrictions under Unlock 1.0. While the country struggles with containing the spread of the Coronavirus infection, the Allahabad High Court has done remarkably in devising innovative ways for the judiciary to cope with the pandemic while being mindful of the risks involved in physical functioning of courts. It is a sad reality that absence of physical functioning of the courts, majority of the lawyers in the state are on the verge of starvation. Though it is said that one has to live with the pandemic, in reality, it not possible while the numbers of the infected are going up . Even though the Allahabad High Court has a large volume of pending cases, the efforts made by are well reflected in the results which show that steps to deal with the huge pendency are underway. On 15th April, the court began hearing cases through Video Conferencing. The HC has since been operating through virtual benches hearing cases on a daily basis, which has increased from 7 in April 2020 to 26 at Allahabad and 19 at Lucknow currently, a considerable number. In just over two months, with only 44 actual working days since April, more than 10,000 cases have been listed for hearing. Between 23rd March 2020 and 5th June 2020 the court has given 5,469 final judgements and orders. During the same period 4,951 and 2,116 fresh cases were instituted at Allahabad and Lucknow respectively. There are 74 districts working under the superintendence of Allahabad High Court. In the month of May, the district courts collectively took up 78,372 cases and decided 24,345 in total, out of which 13,657 were decided in Virtual Courts. About 75% of these were "matters relating to judicial remand of under-trial prisoners. Livelaw is in the process of collating more district wise data. The positive aspect is, the HC has issued the detailed guidelines issued from time to time have for simplification of the procedure to deal with bail matters. Regarding the proactive measures, the Bench headed by the Chief Justice Govind Mathur, has suo moto taken up following of Public Interest Litigations: PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION (PIL) No. 564 of 2020 at Allahabad - In Re VS. State of U.P. – extending the operation of all interim orders passed by all courts working under the High Court till 29th June, 2020.PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION (PIL) No. 569 of 2020 at Allahabad - In Re Assistance to the Needy Advocates- ordering the Bar Council of India to assist lawyers in financial need during the lockdown.PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION (PIL) No. 574 of 2020 at Allahabad - In Re Inhuman Condition at Quarantine Centres- ordering the Uttar Pradesh Government to improve facilities in quarantine facilities and ensure better medical care in hospitals where patients infected with coronavirus are being treated. The High Court has progressively eased the restrictions towards physical functioning. The chart below lists out a chronological series of developments since the functioning was suspended in March until the present. Sl. No. Date Particulars 1 23rd March, 2020 The HC released a notification suspending operation and only mentioning of "imminently emergent and urgent cases" was allowed through phone. 2 25th March, 2020 Notification dated 23rd march, 2020 which suspended operation of the court was modified to allow for mentioning of urgent cases through email. 3 11th April, 2020 The HC issued a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) including instructions for e-filing of urgent matters and procedure for participation of parties in hearing through ...

Allahabad HC During COVID19

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