Karnataka High Court Issues New SOP ; Cases To Be Heard In Hybrid Mode From November 8

As per the SOP, "Every person entering the court premises including advocates, parties-in-person, staff members and litigants shall preferably wear proper double face mask including one N95 face mask; staff of the High Court shall wear hand gloves all the time and shall use sanitizer as indicated in the health advisories already issued and web-hosted on the website. While in the Court, all persons shall strictly follow the rule of maintaining social-distancing."

It is also stated that every person entering the Court precincts including the Advocates, parties-in-person, litigants, Police, Security Staff, members of the Court staff including drivers and PSOs of the Hon'ble Judges, shall be scanned at the entry point by using temperature scanners/thermal scanners. "If it is found that temperature is not normal or any of them are found to have symptoms, their entry to the Court precincts shall not be permitted", states the SOP.

Further, it is directed that, "The entry/access shall be provided to the Advocates at the Principal Bench at Bengaluru through the Gates situated at Court Hall Nos.22 and 39, for the time being. The practice of dividing the cause list into 5 sessions is discontinued. A Single Cause List shall be issued showing the commencement of the Court Session as 10:30 a.m."

The SOP also says that, "Wearing of masks is compulsory in the Court halls, Bar Association Premises, offices as well as in the Court compound. Anybody found not wearing a mask shall be immediately required to leave the premise."

The Advocate Association shall be kept open for the use of advocates. However, the advocates shall make use of the association with 50% seating capacity.

Click Here To Read The SOP