"Only Special Benches Shall Hold Court Sitting Till April 9": Allahabad HC Issues 'Modalities & Arrangement' For Functioning of HC During COVID

The High Court has notified that it would function with minimum strength and till further orders, only the special Benches constituted shall remain operational (both at Lucknow and Prayagraj) and regular Courts won't be sitting from April 5 to April 9.

General directions

The wearing of a face mask will be mandatory for entry in the High Court Premises and the Hon'ble Judges and their supporting staff (Private Secretary, Bench Secretary, Peon, etc.) in the minimum required number will attend the High Court.

The Advocates (w.e.f. 03^rd April 2021) will have to file their Cases/Documents/Petitions/Applications in E-mode or in physical form, in the Stamp Reporting Section and the Application Section.

Significantly, the parties are not required to file Urgency Application with regard to the matters pertaining to Criminal Misc. Bail Applications, Anticipatory Bail, Criminal Appeal U/s 14 A (2) S.C. / S.T., Habeas Corpus Writ Petition, Writ Matters pertaining to Arrest / Stay of Arrest either in fresh cases or filed cases as these cases shall be placed before the Hon'ble Court as usual.

However, in all other matters \(fresh as well as filed), Urgency Application will have to be filed and these matters shall be placed before the Hon'ble Court only after the Urgency Application is allowed by the Special Benches constituted.

Further, only those listed matters shall be listed in Hon'ble Courts, for which Urgency Applications filed through e-mail / physical mode are allowed by the Hon'ble Court and such matters shall be listed only in the Additional Cause List.

Also, in all such matters where a petition has been filed in hard copies, and an application, Counter Affidavit etc. is required to be filed, such applications / objections etc. can be filed in the e-filing module (link available on Allahabad HC's website).

The Stamp Reporting Section, till further order will not withhold any fresh file due to any defect and will place that before the Hon'ble Court concerned for appropriate orders.

Directions related to advocates

Importantly, the Chambers of Advocates in the High Court Premises will not be opened and the Robes prescribed for the Hon'ble Judges and the Learned Lawyers shall remain suspended till further orders.

The Advocates appearing in the Court will have to wear face mask and have been directed to adhere to all necessary conditions prescribed for social and physical distancing.

Further, the Advocates not more than 6 (Six) in number will be permitted to remain in the Court Room at any given time.

The Advocates and Employees coming from outside Allahabad have been directed to furnish written information of the same in the office of the Registrar General with the declaration that he/she is not suffering from COVID-19 symptoms.

Directions related to litigants

The Litigant-In-Person would be permitted to physically appear before the Court only after due permission from the Hon'ble Court, however, the Clerks to the Advocates will not be permitted entry in the High Court Premises and no Litigants will be permitted entry in the High Court.

Spitting in the premises of the High Court has been prohibited and will attract punishment and the Chief Medical & Health Officer, Prayagraj, and Lucknow have been directed to arrange all necessary medical assistance and attendance in the High Court campus at Allahabad and Lucknow to meet any urgent medical eventuality.

[Please refer to the attached file to read complete guidelines issued by the High Court]

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