Karnataka HC Holds 10 PM Sitting At CJ's Residence To Extend Interim Orders; Eviction/Demolition Orders Suspended [Read Order]

A special sitting was held at the residence office of Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Abhay S Oka at 10 PM on Tuesday to issue special directions regarding interim orders in view of the 21-days country wide lockdown imposed to combat COVID-19 transmission.

The sitting was convened after the Prime Minister announced the lockdown in his 8PM address to the nation.

The bench also advised the authorities to go 'slow' on coercive steps such as demolition proceedings. Orders of eviction, dispossession or demolition already passed by courts will be in abeyance for a period of one month.

The bench comprising CJ A S Oka and Justice B V Nagarathna ordered:

"(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;

(iv) Considering the fact that it will be practically impossible for the citizens to approach the Courts for redressal of their grievances for a period of twenty-one days specified in the order of the Ministry of Home Affairs dated 24th March 2020, we sincerely hope that the State Government, Municipal Authorities and the agencies and instrumentalities of the State Government will be slow in taking action of demolition and eviction of persons". 

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