HC Resumes physical functioning on experimental basis from August 16

The Delhi High Court on Thursday said it may resume its physical functioning on experimental basis. It was restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, from August 16.

The administrative order issued by High Court Registrar General Manoj Jain said this will be done in a restricted manner subject to further orders based on evaluation of the pandemic situation in Delhi.

Meanwhile, all the Benches of the High Court, Registrars and Joint Registrars (Judicial) will continue to take up urgent matters as per the existing arrangement through video conferencing till August 13, the order said.

A similar order has been passed with regard to district courts in Delhi too, where physical hearings may resume in a restricted manner from August 16 on experimental basis.

Earlier this year, the High Court had commenced complete physical functioning from March 15. However, it decided that from April 9 to April 23 it will take up matters “through virtual mode only” after the rise in COVID-19 cases. On April 18, the court had said that from that day onwards it will only take up “extremely urgent matters” filed this year.

Following the outbreak of COVID-19 in March last year, the courts are holding proceedings through video conference. Its functioning was restricted to urgent matters.