Coronavirus Update: Supreme Court To Hear Only Urgent Matters From Monday And Restricted The Entry Of Lawyers, Litigants And Visitors Inside The Court Rooms

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday decided to hear only urgent cases from next week to minimise the risk of spread of coronavirus. In a notification issued by the top court on the administrative side, the court has also severely restricted the entry of lawyers and litigants into the courtroom.

The order cited the health ministry’s advisory that cautioned against mass gathering as well as the World Health Organisation advising against mass congregation. “The Competent Authority has been pleased to direct that the functioning of the Courts shall be restricted to urgent matters with such number of Benches as may be found appropriate,” the notification by the Supreme Court’s secretary general Sanjeev S Kalgaonkar said. “It is hereby notified that no persons except the lawyers who are going to act in the matter, i.e. either for argument or for making oral submissions or to assist along with one litigant only, shall be permitted in the courtroom,” Sanjeev S Kalgaonkar said in the order.

The top court has also suspended the practice of lawyers mentioning cases before Chief Justice of India SA Bobde and ordered that this request would have to be made before the designated mentioning officer. Friday’s directive came after meetings convened by Chief Justice Bobde with other senior judges and stakeholders. The judges had explored the option of extending the Holi break.

The Supreme Court campus and court rooms are overcrowded, particularly during Mondays and Fridays when a large number of cases are listed for admission raising concerns of spread of coronavirus. The court is currently shut for Holi break with only a vacation bench sitting to deal with urgent matters.