Karnataka HC CJ In Home Quarantine Last Week; Resumes Work After Testing Negative For COVID-19

The Chief Justice of High Court of Karnataka, A S Oka was in-home quarantine last week as a precautionary measure against COVID-19. The revelation was made by him on Thursday during the hearing on a batch of petitions challenging winding up of the six debt scheme of Franklin Templeton.

From July 29, he was not available for hearings.

He resumed normal functioning on August 3, after getting tested negative for COVID-19.

On that day he took up only seven cases for hearing, in the afternoon session.

Meanwhile, the HC has decided to suspend its work tomorrow, August 7, to sanitize the premises.

A notice issued by the high court says that "Due to increase in COVID-19 positive cases, the entire complex of the Principal Bench of the High Court of Karnataka at Bengaluru is required to be sanitized. Accordingly, Judicial/nonJudicial/Administrative functions of the High Court of Karnataka, Principal Bench, at Bengaluru, are suspended for one day viz., on Friday, August 7, 2020, for sanitization of the entire High Court Complex."

Justice Oka has been hearing a batch of petitions to ensure proper medical facilities are provided to COVID-19 patients. 

A recent order passed by him had taken judicial note of the rising COVID-19 cases :

"A judicial notice will have to be taken of the fact that a large number of court employees have tested positive and a large number of them have undergone quarantine. Judicial officers are also tested positive. At the Principal seat in Bengaluru, 45 staff have tested positive, test results of many staff members is awaited. Many of them are forced to undergo quarantine."

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