Breaking- Karnataka High Court Extends Interim Orders Passed By It And All Subordinate Courts Till May 29

The Karnataka High Court on Friday extended the operation of all interim orders passed by it or the subordinate courts and Tribunals, that are due to expire till May 29, 2021.

A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Aravind Kumar said "During last three weeks there has been exponential rise in covid-19 cases in the state. Yesterday there were 14,738 case of covid positive out of which 10,497 are in Bengaluru urban district. From today functioning of district and trial courts, in nine districts has been restricted considering the fact that in these districts there are more than 1000 covid positive cases."

It added "In view of the large number of covid positive cases reported in the state this court will have to ensure that litigants do not suffer and they are not forced to approach the court only for the purpose of getting interim orders operating in their favor extended."

Accordingly, it issued the following interim directions.

# All interim orders passed by the Karnataka High Court (principal bench and benches at Dharwad and Kalaburagi), all the District Courts, Civil Courts, Family Courts, Labour Courts, Industrial Tribunals and all other Tribunals in the State over which this Court has power of superintendence, which are due to expire in the period between tomorrow and may 29, 2021 will continue to operate till may 29, 2021.

# If any orders of eviction, dispossession or demolition have been passed by the High Court, District or Civil Courts, the same shall remain in abeyance till May 29, 2021.

The court said "It is however, made clear that if any party desires to apply for vacating the interim orders it will be open for the said party to apply to concerned courts praying for vacating the orders. If such applications are made the courts are free to consider the same."

The bench has asked the state government to respond on whether "If the Criminal Courts in the State have granted bail orders or anticipatory bail for a limited period which are likely to expire the said orders should be extended till May 29, 2021. The bench was of the view that since a lockdown is not in place the state must respond on whether the directions should be issued.

The court also directed the state government to respond on Saturday, the availability of beds/medicines and oxygen, to patients being tested positive for Covid-19. The bench orally observed "We read reports about people searching for Remdesivir injection and people have to go and wait in the queue. Most difficult situation is the availability of beds. Even the High court registry is facing difficulties in admitting staff. These issues need to be looked into urgently. The court also indicated that issues pertaining to availability of ambulances etc will also be considered.

The matter will be heard on April 17.

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