COVID-19: Gauhati High Court switches to virtual hearing

In view of the surge of the COVID-19 cases in the State of Assam, the Gauhati High Court has decided to function in virtual mode with staggered roster, so as to avoid footfalls and to maintain social distancing..Towards this, the following guidelines were issued by the Registrar General of the High Court on Wednesday, January 5:Only limited number of cases to be listed. Advocates and parties-in-person may mention their matters showing the urgency before concerned Courts. The Court, only on being satisfied that the matter is of urgent nature, shall hear such matters.Only the learned Advocates and parties-in-person, whose names appear in the cause list shall enter the premises of the High Court. Any other member may enter, only with prior permission of Registrar.Compulsory wearing of masks and maintaining of social distancing is mandatory within the premises of the High Court.All lawyers, litigants, members of staff, security staff, etc. having taken both the doses of COVID-19 vaccine, shall be allowed to enter the High Court premises.This notification came into effect from January 6, and will subsist until further orders.It shall be noted that even the Supreme Court on Thursday has decided that it will hear all cases virtually with the judges joining for hearing via video conference from their residences instead of court. Importantly, only extremely urgent 'mentioned' matters, fresh matters, bail matters, matters involving stay, detention matters and fixed date matters will be heard from Monday, January 10.Chief Justice of India NV Ramana on Thursday hinted that the top court would not hear cases through physical mode for the next four to six weeks, in light of the increasing cases of COVID-19.Various High Courts, for instance, Karnataka, Telangana, Patna, Jharkhand, Madras, Bombay, Calcutta and Delhi High Courts have reverted to virtual hearing while the Allahabad High Court is hearing cases via hybrid mode, with the lawyers having the option to appear via video conference or physically.Three sitting judges of Allahabad High Court on Tuesday tested positive for the coronavirus..[Read Notification]