COVID 19 : Gujarat HC Registers Suo Moto PIL For Precautionary Measures To Prevent Coronavirus Spread [Read Order]

In the wake of COVID 19 pandemic, the Gujarat High Court on Friday registered a suo moto Public Interest Litigation titled "Precautionary Measures In The Wake Of The

Pandemic of Corona Virus (COVID-19)".

A bench comprising Chief Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Ashutosh Shastri said that the suo moto action was taken "to further strengthen the hands of the Government and also to keep a check and control of the said Virus being spread further in the judicial setup of the State".

The Court has issued the following directions :

"(1) The Advisory issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India and the Government of Gujarat on the above Pandemic be strictly adhered to and followed in letter and spirit.

(2) In addition to the above, we direct the Government of Gujarat:

(i) to provide temperature guns at the security check to check the temperature of entrants in the Court premises;

(ii) In case any person is found to be having temperature above normal, then, to take necessary steps for further investigation forthwith;

(iii) to take necessary steps for sanitizing the Court building and premises on daily basis by using appropriate formulations.

(3) Following directions are issued to the members of the Bar Association, members of the Registry, staff of the High Court and all other stakeholders to take following

precautions:

i. Public gatherings may be avoided unless unavoidable.

ii. Counsels may discourage litigants from attending Courts.

iii. Absence of parties appearing in person may not entail any adverse orders.

iv. All precautionary measures as advised by the Government may be taken.

v. Handshake greetings may be avoided and greetings may be with folded hands only.

(4) The above directions contained at Sr.No.(3) to be equally applied to all the subordinate courts in the State of Gujarat".

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