Orissa HC Disposes About 25,000 Cases During COVID-19 Pandemic [Read Press Note]

It is intimated that between the period from March 23, 2020 till October 16, 2020, i.e. last week, the High Court disposed of a total of 24,936 cases including 9,188 Bail Applications, 12,837 Writ Applications and 2,243 Contempt Petitions.

Besides, 568 other matters were disposed of which include Criminal Appeals, Writ Appeals, First Appeals from Orders, Civil Miscellaneous Petitions, Criminal Miscellaneous Petitions, Criminal Revisions and Applications u/s. 482 Cr.P.C.

Benches

A total of 207 Division Benches and 616 Single Benches have functioned through Video Conferencing during this period.

It may be noted that during the initial phase of Lockdown, the Court functioned with 2-3 Benches on alternative days of the week. On May 4, 2020 the extent of functioning through Video Conferencing was scaled up to 5 Single Benches on every working day of the week and 1 Division Bench on every Tuesday and Thursday.

On May 26, 2020, functioning of Court through Video Conferencing was again scaled up to 7 Single Benches on every working day and 1 Division Bench on Tuesday and Thursday. On June 9, 2020, functioning was further scaled up to 1 Division Bench and 7 Single Benches on every working day.

Now since August 24, 2020, the Court is functioning with 3 Division Benches and 6 Single Benches on every working day.

Disposal of old cases

During this period, efforts were made to hear old matters and Jail Criminal Appeals where appellants are in custody since more than 10 years along with urgent matters. As many as 103 such cases were disposed including 30 years old Criminal Appeals, 20 years old Second Appeals and 10 years old Writ Petitions and other matters.

Jail Criminal Appeals which were 15 years old and 10 years old have been also disposed of.

Other Facilities

• Facility of e-filing as well as Drop Box
• E-Seva Kendras for lawyers and litigants who do not have access to IT services
• Permission to Advocates/ Litigants to use digital copies of orders and Judgments from High Court website as Certified copies (after due verification from the website)
• Flexible working time for employees
• Rampant Covid tests
• Dedicated Covid Care Center

Click Here To Download Press Note

Read Press Note