Following Both Parties' Consent, Supreme Court Lists A Matter For Physical Hearing On July 30

The Supreme Court of India is set to hear a case physically on July 30 after the counsels for both the parties in a Criminal matter agreed to appear physically to present their case. 

On Friday, the Bench of Justice L. Nageswaar Rao and Justice S. Ravindra Bhat was hearing a Criminal Appeal and made the following order:

"The parties have voluntarily agreed to appear in Court physically and argue the matters on 30.07.2021."

Thus the matter was directed to be listed on July 30, 2021.

It may be noted that since March 23, 2020, the Apex Court has been functioning via video conferencing mode. On March 23, the Court had to shut due to the COVID-19 pandemic as it issued a circular suspending the entry of lawyers and litigants within court premises.

Presently only urgent cases are being taken up for hearing through the video conferencing app, Vidyo app.

Supreme Court of India in March 2021 decided to start hearing cases in a hybrid manner from March 15th 2021. The Apex Court had issued several directions and Standard Operating Procedure for Court's functioning in consideration of the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic and suggestions given by the Bar Associations.

Last month, Dr Justice D Y Chandrachud, Chairperson of the Supreme Court e-Committee had addressed a letter to the Chief Justices of all the High Courts, stating that it may not be possible to conduct physical Court hearings due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and courts may resort to hybrid model of hearing for some time.

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