'Courts Are Physically Working": Allahabad High Court Closes Suo Moto PIL For Extension Of Limitation & Interim Orders During Lockdown

Looking to the physical working of the Courts in the State of Uttar Pradesh, a Division bench comprising of Justices Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Rohit Ranjan Agarwal observed that there is no need to continue the PIL to extend currency period of limitation or interim orders.

The suo motu cognizance pertaining to interim orders and limitation expiring during the period of lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic was taken by the High Court.

A detailed order with respect to all the Courts in the State was initially passed and extended from time to time with certain modifications, to ensure that litigants do not suffer on account of their "inability to approach the Courts of law".

The last order in this matter was passed on December 1, 2020 for extension of interim orders and caveat under Section 148-A CPC.

When the matter was taken up for review on Tuesday, the Division Bench said,

"We find that now the Courts are physically working in the State of Uttar Pradesh, thus there is no reason to keep this matter pending and for that to pass further order in reference to the interim orders for the caveats. Rather the matter is now closed…"

Case Title: In re v. State of UP

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