[Covid-19] Jammu and Kashmir High Court extends virtual hearing of cases in courts of J&K, Ladakh till April 30

The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) High Court has extended virtual hearing of cases in all courts in the Union Territories (UTs) of J&K and Ladakh till April 30 in view of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic..An order in this regard was issued by Registrar General of J&K High Court, Jawad Ahmed on April 16.It stated that an earlier order issued by High Court on April 5 by which courts in J&K and Ladakh reverted to virtual hearing, will stand extended up to April 30.."After taking notice of the rising trend of Covid-19 infection cases and the prevailing situation due to the spread of such infection, the High Court order No. 189 of 2021/RG dated April 5, 2021, is extended up to April 30, 2021," the order said. .By way of the April 5 order, the J&K High Court had decided to roll back its decision to hold physical hearing of cases in the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh."Hearing of cases in the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir as well as in the district and subordinate courts and tribunals shall be conducted through virtual mode," it said.An earlier order issued by the High Court on February 3, permitting physical hearing of cases was kept in abeyance by way of the April 5 order..The April 5 order had, however, said that matters may also be taken up for physical hearing, where the counsel for both the parties to the case give their consent for such physical hearing."The entry of litigants and public into the Court premises from the very outer gate shall continue to be prohibited," the order further said.With regard to High Court, the advocates in a particular case, who intend to get their case listed for physical hearing will have to give written consent for physical appearance and provide the requisite detail of the case to the concerned Registrar Judicial through email at least two days before the date of listing.With regard to district and subordinate courts, physical hearing is permitted in criminal trials where accused is /are in custody, matrimonial cases, MACT cases, cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. The Principal District and Sessions Judge can decide the same taking into consideration the urgency involved and after taking consent of the parties, the April 5 order stated..Meanwhile, a National Lok Adalat was also held across J&K and Ladakh on Saturday under the stewardship of Chief Justice of J&K High Court, Pankaj Mithal and guidance of Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey. A total of 3,593 cases were disposed of at the Lok Adalat and an amount of Rs. 21,49,88,213 was awarded as compensation/settlement amount in civil, criminal, labour disputes, electricity and water bills cases, land acquisition, family matters, cheque dishonor and bank recovery cases"The National Lok Adalat was organized in all the districts of UT's of J&K and Ladakh to achieve to achieve the goal of access to justice for all and to help the poor litigants tide over their financial problems and untold mental stress," member secretary of J&K Legal Service Authority MK Sharma told Bar & Bench. .[Read Order on Virtual Hearing]