Kerala High Court Further Extends Validity of All Interim Orders Till June 29th Amidst Continuing Lockdown Restrictions

The Kerala High Court on Monday while hearing a suo motu matter, extended the validity of interim orders passed by this Court till June 29 2021, owing to continuation of lockdown in the State till 16th June 2021, citing inability to carry out normal court proceedings. This is the second suo motu writ petition filed in this regard.

The first petition was registered in 2020 praying for extension of interim orders and child custody orders granted by this Court which were due to expire during the lockdown period. A Full Bench of this Court has passed orders dated 25th March and 30th March, 2020, periodically extending on various dates.

When the pandemic situation improved last year, the courts had disposed of the suo motu petitions permitting the aggrieved persons to proceed with the pending applications. However, following an increase of Test Positivity Rate, a second phase lockdown was declared in the State till 9th June 2021.

This again disrupted the normal proceedings before Courts and Tribunals. Hence, the instant suo motu writ petition was filed on 19th May for an extension of interim orders granted by this Court.

The Full Bench consisting of Justices S. Manikumar, C.T. Ravikumar and Shaji P. Chaly, had consequently extended the interim orders till June 15 .

However, the State further extended the lockdown till 16th June by a Government Order dated 7th June 2021. Thus, it was found imperative that the Interim orders granted earlier be extended.

Advocate General K. Gopalakrishna Kurup submitted that Government is reviewing the situation and that there is a likelihood of a Government Order being issued at the earliest. He further submitted that details of the same would be furnished to the High Court as and when it is made available.

Upon reviewing the present situation and the submission by the AG, the Court extended the validity of the interim orders till 29th June 2021, and posted the petition for hearing on 28th June 2021.

Case: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala

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