Rajasthan High Court To Hear Cases Through VC Mode Only, Suspends Earlier Circular After Lawyers Protest
The Rajasthan High Court has suspended its earlier decision to resume the regular hearing of cases from 28th June 2021 in a hybrid manner. Now, the regular hearing of cases in the High Court shall be only through video conferencing till July 2, 2021.In its earlier decision, the High Court had decided to permit entry into the court premises only to those persons who have completed 14 days...
The Rajasthan High Court has suspended its earlier decision to resume the regular hearing of cases from 28th June 2021 in a hybrid manner. Now, the regular hearing of cases in the High Court shall be only through video conferencing till July 2, 2021.
In its earlier decision, the High Court had decided to permit entry into the court premises only to those persons who have completed 14 days after their second dose of Covid-19 vaccination.
The physical hearing of cases was to resume in Rajasthan High Court on June 28, after a gap of almost three months during which cases were being heard through video conferencing.
This decision was opposed by the Bar Council of Rajasthan in its letter addressed to the Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court.
"The above restriction of advocates to enter into the court premises is having no proper reasoning as majority of the lawyers are not vaccinated for 2nd dose across the state for the circumstances beyond their control. Kindly consider that there is no such restriction by the State for movement of an individual", the letter stated.
The letter dated 25.06.2021 written by Advocate Kuldeep Kumar Sharma, Chairman of the Bar Council of Rajasthan had also noted that there exists a lot of resentment amongst lawyers of the State regarding the proposed modalities and thus prayed for its withdrawal.
Pursuant to this, the High Court issued the following order on June 27:
"In partial modification of this office previous Notification dated 24.06.2021, it is hereby notified that from 28.06.2021 ro 02.07.2021, Clause-l, 2 and clauses related thereto in above Notification shall remain suspended and during this period, regular hearing of cases in Rajasthan High Court shall be only through video conferencing. Other conditions of Notification dated 24.06.2021 as applicable, shall remain same."
Significantly, similar directions have been issued for the Subordinate Court also, who shall also conduct regular hearing of cases only through video conferencing.
Procedure for hearings conducted through video conference:
- The concerned Court Master will send the link for video conferencing to the Advocates via SMS/email on the registered mobile number and email address.
- Advocates can verify their mobile number and email address registered in the High Court CIS by using the option 'Advocate details' in e-Services Menu on Home Page of the web site of Rajasthan High Court (www.hcrai.nic.in). If they require any change or addition they may send email on dedicated email addresses as shown on the web site.
- There will be no separate time slot for hearing of cases through video conferencing. Such cases would be taken up as per their tum as specified in the cause list. Advocates and parties have to remain ready for video conferencing well in advance according to the Display Board.
- If any Advocate does not turn up in first round, the case may be passed over for second round.
Procedure for E-filing:
- All fresh matters can be filed physically or by e-filing. During physical filing, all precautionary measures including social distancing as mentioned in Central & State Government Advisory shall be strictly followed in filing section. In view of the prevailing conditions e-filing may be preferred.
- E-filing can be made on the E-filing portal as per Notification dated 08.04.2020 available on the website of Rajasthan High Court. The link of E-filing portal (https://efilin.ecourts.gov.in/raj) is available on the Home Page of web site of Rajasthan High Cout in e Services Menu. User Guide and Help Videos for E-filing are available on the E-filing portal.
Procedure for online payment of Court Fees:
- Payment of Court Fees may be made through E-Pay facility, the link of which (https://pay.ecourts.gov.in/epay) is available on Home Page of website of Rajasthan High Court in eServices Menu. All concerned may prefer e-pay facility as a preventive measure.
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