[Covid 19 Spike] Patna High Court Decides To Conduct Complete Functioning Of Court Exclusively Through Virtual Mode Till April 17

The Patna High Court has decided to conduct complete functioning of the Court "exclusively through virtual mode" from 6th April to 17th April 2021 owing to the recent surge in covid-19 cases in the State.

The modification came in view of the new guidelines issued by the Government of India and the State Government dated 3rd April 2021 in the wake of recent spike in the covid-19 cases turning out to be positive. 

The notice, issued by the Registrar General of the High Court, reads thus:

"As directed, kindly take notice that in view of fresh Guidelines issued by the Government of India and the State Government dated 03.04.21 and in consideration of recent spike in the cases of Corona Positive, the competent authority has been pleased to decide that the functioning of the court shall be conducted "exclusively through virtual mode "from 06.04.2021 to 17.04.2021. Consequent upon, the Notice Number- III (Mar/21), IV (Mar/21) & VI (Mar/21) published in cause list dated 05.04.2021 are kept in abeyance till further order. "

Furthermore, the notice also provides that the entry in the High Court premises will be "strictly prohibited" unless authorized till further orders.

Similar decisions of suspending physical hearings in High Courts and district courts have been taken recently by respective High Courts owing to the sudden surge in covid-19 cases in various States.

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Monday decided to keep in abeyance its plan to resume physical hearing of cases till April 18 by declaring that the physical hearings in the High Court, district courts and tribunals in the Union Territory shall be conducted strictly through virtual mode.

Similarly, Bombay High Court also modified its SOP which further notifies that Bombay High Court at its principal seat in Mumbai will hear criminal matters physically, while civil matters will be taken up through video conferencing. It was also decided that the CJ's court will function in a hybrid format, and hear matters, both, physically and virtually.

Additionally, Madhya Pradesh High Court also issued additional SOPs for functioning of the High Court and subordinate courts on Saturday. The said SOPs came into effect on Monday.

Click Here To Read Notice