No Physical Hearings Likely In Supreme Court For 4-6 Weeks Due To COVID-Omicron Threat : CJI

"At least for 4-6 weeks we may not be able to have physical hearings" the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana said on Thursday.The CJI was referring to the ongoing spread of Omicron variant of Covid-19 and the sudden surge in the number of Covid cases which has resulted in the Supreme Court reverting back to virtual mode of hearings.The remark was made by the CJI while hearing the case pertaining to service conditions of the Judges of the Subordinate Judiciary. Justice Nageswara Rao also mentioned today that seniors judges of the Court in a meeting with the Chief Justice of India discussed the emerging Omicron variant and how to deal with it."We are consdering hearing only urgent matters in the coming weeks" Justice Rao said when a Counsel sought urgent listing of a matter in the next week"SOPs are going to be changed in light of emerging Omicron. We are considering hearing only urgent matters in the coming weeks" Justice Rao told the CounselsThe Bench headed by Justice Rao also informed the Counsels seeking adjournments that the only dates available would be in February in light of the "emerging situation" because of the Omicron variant.The Bench also adjourned the plea seeking virtual hearing as a fundamental right observing that the same will become relevant only when physical hearings are resumed.Justice DY Chandrachud today said that the first 5 Judges of the Supreme Court met with the Chief Justice of India to discuss steps for "how to keep everyone safe" in wake of Covid-19.In the wake of rising number of cases of omicron variant of Covid 19, the Supreme Court of India this week decided to conduct all hearings through virtual mode for two weeks with effect from 3rd January 2021 According to the official notification released on the court's website, the modified standard operating procedure that was notified on 7th October last year for physical hearing of cases on two days a week will remain suspended for two weeks.

No Physical Hearings Likely In Supreme Court For 4-6 Weeks Due To COVID-Omicron Threat : CJI

Srishti Ojha & Sneha Rao

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