Second Covid Wave: Calcutta High Court To Function Completely Through Virtual Mode Till Further Orders

In view of the recent surge in the Covid-19 cases, the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday, on the recommendation of its Covid Committee, decided to hold hearings only through virtual mode from 14 April 2021 till further orders at principal seat at Kolkata and circuit benches at Jalpaiguri and Port Blair.

The notification modifies the earlier notification dated 8th April 2021 wherein a decision was taken to hold hearings via hybrid mode including both physical and virtual mode of hearings till April 30.

As per the modified notification, the new resolution with regards to the functioning of the Court reads as under:

"All Court proceedings shall be in the virtual mode only. It shall be the option of the Hon'ble Judge concerned if Court proceedings are to be done from the Court or from His Lordship's chamber. Court timings shall be from 10.30 A.M to 01.15 P.M and from 02.00 to 03.00 P.M."

The notification also states that the Registrar General/Registrar (Original Side) shall regulate the staff attendance by rotation so that there is not more than 60% attendance on any day. 

Moreover, the Registrar is also directed to ensure that the entire staff is assigned duties on rotational basis.

The Government is also requested to complete the vaccination drive of the employees of the Hon'ble Court at the earliest.

Further directions read as under:

- All new filings should be accompanied by a brief list of dates, synopsis of the case with a copy of the impugned decision or action, not exceeding 2 pages. The PP and APPs shall furnish synopsis of the case diary to the ACO through the PP office for placing before the Court. In case the Bench concerned requires physical production of case diary, the PP may be directed to do the needful.

- All other notifications in force not contrary to the above shall remain in force.

- All the District Judges in the State shall regulate functioning of the Courts on virtual or hybrid mode, regulating the attendance of the staff and the presence of the learned lawyers in such a way so as to take all precautions on account of increase in Covid cases. Matter for vaccination of the staff shall also be taken up with the local administration on priority basis.

Click Here To Read Notification