SC To Continue Hearing Via Video Conferencing For Now; To Review Situation After Two Weeks

There is no immediate resumption of physical hearing in Supreme Court for now as the Committee of Judges constituted to consider the issue decided on July 24 that the functioning of the SC will continue through video conference, in order to obviate the risk of the spread of infection in Court premises.

Sources familiar with the development told LiveLaw that the decision has been taken in view of medical advice and also considering the safety and wellness of lawyers, litigants, Registry staff and the Judges.

The 7-judges Committee has decided to review the situation after two weeks, in view of the medical advice to maintain status quo for a period of two weeks.

On July 24, at 4.30 PM, the committee headed by Justice NV Ramana had an interaction with the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Dushyant Dave, President of Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association, Shivaji M Jadhav and Bar Council of India Chairperson, Manan Kuman Mishra.

The judges expressed that they were fully conscious and deeply concerned about the difficulties faced by the lawyers and is anxious to gradually restore the normalcy in physical functioning. However, they added that a decision in that regard has to be guided by a holistic assessment of the situation based on medical advice, and also taking into account the safety and health of lawyers, judges, litigants and court staff.

The Committee has assured that inputs and suggestions of the Supreme Court Bar Association, SCAORA and Bar Council of India will be duly taken into consideration as regards timing and modalities for a gradual resumption of physical hearing of matters and restoration of normalcy in the premises of Supreme Court.