Jammu and Kashmir High Court (HC) on Thursday ordered resumption of physical hearing from February 08.
An order issued by the Chief Justice, Pankaj Mithal reads, “Keeping in view the latest SOPs of the Government of India and Governtnent of UT of Jammu & Kashmir relating to relaxation in restrictions regarding containment of COVID-19 and also the considerable decline in daily number of COVID-19 cases, by virtue of Full Court Resolution dated 31.05.2020, in modification of the previous orders/circulars on the subject issued by the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir from time to time, the physical hearing of the cases in the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir as well as in the District and Subordinate Courts and Tribunals in UTs of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh shall resume with effect from 08.02.2021.”
However, with a view to ensure that there is no complacency against the spread of COVID-19 infection, all latest SOPs of the Central and UT Government regarding gathering at public places shall be followed in letter and spirit.
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“With effect from 08.02.2021, Advocates shall be allowed entry into the Court premises. However, Advocates shall themselves restrict their entry in a manner that only those Advocates enter the Court building on a given day whose cases are listed on that day before any of the Bench/Court,” reads the order.
“On entry into the Court building, Advocates shall strictly maintain the social distancing SOPs while waiting for hearing of their cases. They shall not huddle either in the well or in the gallery outside the Court Rooms. As and when their cases are finished they shall make an endeavour to leave the court premises at once.”
The order further reads, ” Entry of the Advocates into the Court rooms shall be regulated case wise. General entry in Court rooms shall continue to remain prohibited. Only such Advocates shall be allowed entry into a Court roonl as may be representing a party in a given case upto the maximum of two Advocates for each party. As and when a case is called/displayed on a display Board fixed outside the Court the appearing Advocates may enter the Court and shall maintain a distance of six feet between themselves. In the gallery, outside the Court rooms, at the most, Advocates representing the parties in other two following cases according to serial number in the cause list shall wait lor their turn, again maintaining the requisite distance.”
