COVID-19: Functioning Of Meghalaya HC & All Subordinate Courts Restricted To Hear Urgent Matters Till March 27 [Read Circular]

Through a circular issued in that behalf on Monday, the High Court has adjourned all the cases in both the high court as well as subordinate courts for two weeks, except urgent ones. The cause list of the High Court and other courts will be prepared as usual but all the cases fixed on a particular date will stand postponed to another date, at least after two weeks, and the same will be notified on the concerned court's website and on a notice board outside the court premises.

Be that as may, in all cases where interim relief has been granted and is in operation will be continued/ extended.

Further, in line with the government advisories and steps taken by other high courts, the following instructions have been issued for compliance at the high court and all subordinate courts:

• Courts will not insist on the presence of the parties or under trial prisoners, unless it is unavoidable;
• No adverse/default orders will be passed against non-appearance of parties/witnesses and their requests for exemption will be considered favourably;
• Remand of prisoners will be given only through video conferencing;
• Permission for all events/ programs having mass gatherings held in the court premises has been withdrawn until March 27;
• To avoid overcrowding, roster of all members of the staff will be fixed in such a manner so that every court functions with only half the staff strength and all court staff will leave the court premises by 6PM.

Read Circular