Between March 24 and September 30 Patna HC Disposes Of 3,784 Civil And 14,273 Criminal Matters In Virtual Mode [Read Order]

The Full Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Karol, Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and Justice Hemant Kumar Srivastava, further stated,

"As many as 2,844 civil and 7,260 criminal matters were filed through e filing mode, while 99 civil and 1,404 criminal cases were filed in physical mode. Hearing was conducted in respect of 10,036 civil matters and 27,109 criminal matters through e- mode, and 309 civil and 1,814 matters in physical mode. Disposal stood at 3,784 civil and 14,273 criminal matters in e-mode and 1 civil matter and 952 criminal matters in physical mode." (emphasis supplied)

Hearing in the matter

On Thursday (01^st October) during the hearing, the Advocate General, in very categorical and specific terms, submitted before the High Court, that it should utilize the time until Durga Puja holidays to arrange adequate infrastructure, sanitization and security measures required for running physical courts in the exceptional circumstances created by COVID–19 pandemic, and thereafter initially only 3 to 4 courts should function physically.

He further submitted that the modalities of the cases to be taken up may be considered after resumption of physical Court proceeding in limited manner after Durga Puja holidays (to be precise, till the beginning of November, 2020). At present, the Association halls and the library will not be functional.

Dr. K.N. Singh, Additional Solicitor General of India, Bihar, Mr. Ajay Kumar Thakur and Mr. Rajiv Kumar Singh, President and General Secretary of the Lawyers' Association, Mr. Sanjay Singh and Mr. Mukesh Kant, President and General Secretary of Bar Association and Mr. Shailendra Kumar Singh, General Secretary, Advocates' Association completely endorse the views of learned Advocate General.

Lastly, the Court was of the view that the Associations may allow their members limited access to the Halls and libraries on any two specified days to enable them to retrieve their documents, articles and belongings.

The Court further stated that it is expected that the two dates to be jointly chosen by the Associations will be intimated in writing to the Registry within a period of three days hereof.

Finally, the Court directed that the matter be listed for further hearing on 19.10.2020.

It may be noted that while hearing the matter [In Re Functioning of Courts in Bihar during the period of COVID-19, Pandemic] the Patna High Court on Wednesday (30th September) decided the parameters for e-filing, physical filing, listing and hearing in consonance with all the stakeholders.

The Full bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Karol, Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and Justice Hemant Kumar Srivastava took into consideration, the suggestions given by Advocates' Association, Lawyers' Association and Bar Association of Patna High Court.

It may be noted that in pursuance of the order dated 23.9.2020, all the three Associations clarified their stand with regard to the Court proceedings through physical mode, virtual mode as well as e-filing and physical filing.