Subordinate Judiciary In Maharashtra To Begin "Regular Physical Functioning" From February 1

The subordinate judiciary in the Maharashtra and Goa will begin regular physical functioning from February 1,2021, nearly a year after it was crippled owning to the coronavirus pandemic.

In a notice issued on Friday, the Registrar General of the Bombay High Court said subordinate courts in the States of Maharashtra and Goa and Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, would begin regular physical functioning, which was in "vogue pre-pandemic,".

The decision taken by the Administrative Judges' Committee states that all safety measures are to be followed, "To make applicable 100% earlier approved disposal norms from 01/02/2021 and 3) to direct to adhere to all the safety / precautionary measures, put in place by the Hon'ble High Court and the Governments, to avoid the spread of Coronavirus."

The notice is addressed to, 1. All the Principal District & Sessions Judges, 2. The Principal Judge, City Civil & Sessions Court, Gr. Bombay 3. The President, Industrial Court, Mumbai 4. The President, Mah. State Co-op. Appellate Court, Mumbai 5. The Chief Judge, Court of Small Causes, Mumbai 6. The Principal Judge, Family Court 7. All Head of the Establishments under the Bombay High Court in the States of Mah. and Goa and UT of D&NH and DD.

Initially, after the lockdown announcement in March 2020, Subordinate Courts were allowed to hear only extremely urgent matters, bar rooms and canteens remained closed. The directions were revised from time to time over the course of the last year.

Click here to download the notification