The Karnataka High Court on Thursday urged advocates and parties-in-persons appearing in matters to refrain from sharing court discussions on those matters on social media.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Aravind Kumar orally opined,

"Those parties and lawyers who are appearing in matters...they should not comment on social media about subjects discussed in courts (till matters are concluded)...We don't think there will be any disagreement on this."

The Court made this observation after it was brought to its notice by the counsel appearing for Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Shreenidhi that a few advocates were posting about matters discussed in courts on Twitter.

"All of us are working towards fighting Covid. I request my friend Mr 'x' to go slow on the tweets he has been making on social media. This was brought to my notice earlier."

The advocate in question stated that nothing was said on social media with a 'malafide' intention.

This discussion took place during the hearing of the case registered suo motu after the Court received two letters on COVID-19 Management in the state.

During the hearing, the Court questioned the State government, BBMP and the Centre on the availability of hospital beds for COVID-19 patients, the quantity of oxygen available, and vaccination doses in the State.

On of the point of availability of beds, the Court recorded in its order,

"Situation about availability of beds in the city continues to be very grim."

Terming the vaccination situation in the State as "shocking", the Court observed that the available remaining vaccine doses will have to be given to those who have already taken the first dose and who are yet to take the second dose within the requisite time.

The second priority must be given to frontline workers and health workers, said the Court.

The matter will be next heard on May 11.