COVID Spike: NCLT Benches To Function Through Virtual Mode From January 3 To January 31

Taking note of the present spike of Covid-19 and its variant, the guidelines of the Government of India and the various States Governments, imposing certain restrictions, regulations etc, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has decided to revert to Virtual Mode of hearing from January 3, 2022, to January 31, 2022.

An official order to this effect has been issued under the orders of the President, NCLT to direct all the NCLT Benches to take up the hearing by virtual mode during the above-mentioned period.

Emphasizing that the Government of India and the various State Governments have reported a spike of Covid-19 and its variant, the NCLT's order has been issued as a temporary measure to ensure the safety of the Members of the Bar, Party in persons, Officers, and staff of registry of all the NCLT Benches.

The decision has been taken in partial modification of the earlier notifications/ guidelines/circulars issued by the National Company Law Tribunal regarding the functioning of the NCLT Benches across the country during Covid-19 pandemic period.

"This notification is issued in partial modification of earlier notification as applicable to the effect that the mode of hearing of cases will be virtual and filing of cases will be by e-filing mode (SOP)", the order reads.

It may be noted that in view of the threat of the imminent third wave of the Covid pandemic and also the alarming rise in the number of Covid affected cases, the Calcutta High Court has decided to function through virtual mode only with effect from January 3.

On December 30, the Delhi High Court had decided that the High Court and district courts would be functioning through virtual mode only with effect from January 3 to January 15, 2022.