High court restricts its functioning, decides to take urgent matters via video conferencing | KNO

Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

Srinagar, March 23 (KNO): In order to prevent spread of novel Coronavirus, High Court Monday decided to restrict its functioning and to take up only cases of urgent matters via video conferencing. According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), authorities of High Court said in case of urgent matters, parties or counsel shall inform the opposite parties or counsel to send urgency memo through e-mail to the concerned registrar Judicial by 3.00 pm of the previous day of the date on which the matter is listed and upon satisfaction about the urgency. The documents available with KNO reads, “On the date and time fixed, the case shall be heard through video conferencing. In the event, if video conferencing is not available in case of exceptional urgency, remote hearing of the cases may be conducted using Video Call facility.” The documents also state that the advocates and Litigants shall telephonically mention their matters by providing title, number and stage of the matters. “No other person except the litigant and advocate shall be allowed in the room from where litigant and advocate is appearing through video call and if in the opinion of litigant or an advocate the presence of any other person is very urgent, requisite permission must be obtained from the Court,” the  Court directed. In the meantime, the High Court authorities said that the filing counter of both wings of the High Court shall remain closed for filing of all ordinary matters. The court also directed that “The Registrar Judicial of both wings of the High Court shall not accept any ordinary filing of suits, appeals, petitions, applications Etc till further orders. For the purposes of computation of limitation expiring during such period of filing prohibition, the same be deemed as expiring on the date of resumption of filing by the further orders of the Court.” In order to de-congest the sections and rooms of the Registry and on account of suspension of public transport by the Government coupled with imposition of certain other restrictions, authorities at high court said that officials working in the registry shall be permitted to function in batches of minimal staff on rotation basis till 31st of March, 2020. However, the Court directed all officials shall to remain available on telephone and electronic means of communication at all times that would be deemed to be on duty. In case of emergency they may be called upon to report to the duty immediately. It shall be open to the Judge concerned, the registrar general and the registrar Judicial concerned as the case may be to permit any staff member to work from his/her home or to leave the office before the closure of duty hours. In the meantime, the High Court also said more instructions were required to be issued to the its registry and the district courts to combat the situation emerging due to the threat of spread of Novel Corona-virus (Covid-19). The court authorities said that the virus has coupled with the situation arising out of suspension of public transport by the Government and imposition of certain other restrictions. The court officials also decided to contribute money from their salaries for the welfare of the victims. “Keeping in view the projections on account of Corona Virus (Covid-19) Infection, the prohibitions and impact thereof, it is resolved to effect the collection of amount to be utilized for the welfare of the victims in which contribution shall be made by its officials,” reads the official documents—(KNO)