SC Extends Limitation For Filing In All Courts/Tribunals With Effect From March 15 Until Further Orders [Read Order]

With the objective of reducing physical filings in courts and tribunals across the countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court on Monday passed a general order extending the limitation, whether condonable or not, with effect from March 15, until further orders.

"To obviate such difficulties and to ensure that lawyers/litigants do not have to come physically to file such proceedings in respective Courts/Tribunals across the country including this Court, it is hereby ordered that a period of limitation in all such proceedings, irrespective of the limitation prescribed under the general law or Special Laws whether condonable or not shall stand extended w.e.f. 15th March 2020 till further order/s to be passed by this Court in present proceedings", ordered the bench comprising CJI S A Bobde, Justices L Nageshwara Rao and Surya Kant.

The bench passed the order in a suo moto case invoking the special powers under Article 142 of the Constitution of India and said that the same shall be binding on all courts/tribunals as per Article 141.

"We are exercising this power under Article 142 read with Article 141 of the Constitution of India and declare that this order is a binding order within the meaning of Article 141 on all Courts/Tribunals and authorities".

The order has been directed to be brought to the notice to all High Courts for being communicated to all subordinate courts/tribunals within their respective jurisdiction.

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