Breaking: [COVID 19] SC To Introduce Court Proceedings Through Video Conferencing, E-Filing Will Be Available 24/7

In a bid to combat the spread of Novel COVID-19, the Supreme Court  will introduce court proceedings vide video conferencing to avoid the 'people to people' contact.

The Chief Justice of India Justice SA Bobde called an urgent meeting Sunday evening to discuss the steps to be taken for the functioning of the Courts in the wake of Corona outbreak in the country.

Justices Arun Mishra, U.U. Lalit., Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and  L. Nageswara Rao attended the meeting.

Many prominent doctors of the country like Dr. Randeep Guleria from AIIMS, Dr. Balram Bhargava from ICMR along with other important Doctors who head different hospitals like Fortis, Apollo and Medanta etc. attended the meeting. The President, Vice President and Secretary of both SCBA and SCAORA were also present.

Chief Justice India has declared that there cannot be a complete shutdown of the Courts and as virtual courts are on the verge of commencement, there can only be a possibility of limited shut down at the present instance. He  further clarified that any demand of the bar and Bench would be subordinated to the medical advice drawn in the meeting. It was also clarified that the cause list has already been published for tomorrow and hence the medical advice that had been sought has to be complied to facilitate the system that has been already been decided so far with regard to the functioning of  on 16.03.2020. 

Supreme Court E-Committee Chairman Justice DY Chandrachud has assured that;

1. Very soon the 'people to people' contact will be reduced by introducing court proceedings vide video conference.

2. Separate rooms for the counsel for each of the parties will be made available in the Supreme Court Premises.

3. Any lawyer has to only download a simple application and activate court proceedings vide video conference, that can be conducted from his office.

4. That once, the court proceedings commence vide video conference, there would be smart televisions in both the press lounge for the convenience of the journalists.

5. That e-filings can be made any time of the day i.e., 24/7.

6. The court proceedings and filing procedures will soon go digital and paperless.

7. That SCAORA will be consulted before the launch of the virtual court rooms and e-filings.

A common medical advice issued by the Medical Experts in the meeting are as follows:-

1. A declaration ought to obtained by all the persons seeking entry to the Court stating:-

a. Whether the person has travelled overseas especially to any of the notified countries? (and in case of the person having visited any of the notified countries he/she should not be allowed any access to the Court).

b. Whether the person has any cough or cold for last one or two days?

c. Whether the person has anybody in his close contact of any infected person?

The aforesaid declaration forms should be filled by all entrants in the entry level.

2. To request and encourage people with symptoms to self restrain and not attend Court.

3. To publish awareness of respiratory etiquette vide posters in the premises of the  Court and also publicize the same vide social media.

4. To install/deploy thermal scan at the entry level. Further that, masks may not be effective as proper masks are used in the right and proper manner by medical staff dealing with patients.

5. To ensure availability of sanitiser in all Court Rooms, Corridors, toilets etc.

6. To appreciate and maintain minimum distance between individuals. Overcrowding to be restrained

7. To promote hand wash with liquid soap as not many people have proper knowledge of the right manner to wash hands with sanitizer.

8. To install hand driers and stop using of paper napkins/tissues in toilets.

9. To educate and promote the eight proper steps of hand wash.

The Chief Justice has suggested that both the SCBA and SCAORA should ensure that:

I. Proper communications are to be made with the members of the bar with regard to the awareness of self discipline and also motivate the members (in case of symptoms) to disclose and self restrain from attending courts.

II. To deploy volunteers in Court halls and encourage the members to keep distance and request the lawyers to leave the premises as soon as their matter concludes

III. Members of the bar to be prepared to accept, encourage and promote E-filing and video conference of court halls, which will commence shortly.

The Judges have also assured that no adverse orders will be passed and adjournments will be granted leniently.