[Covid-19 spike] Allahabad High Court restricts regular sitting of court till April 9, only urgent cases to be listed [Read guidelines]

In view of spike in Covid-19 cases, the Allahabad High Court has decided to restrict the functioning of regular court in Lucknow and Allahabad. Chief Justice, Govind Mathur has directed that only special benches would constituted for urgent cases and fresh guidelines for functioning have been issued by the Registrar General. .The letter of the Registrar General of the Allahabad High Court indicated the directions issued by the Chief Justice. "In consideration of recent spike in the number of cases of COVID 19 at Prayagraj and Lucknow, the Administrative Committee of the High Court has resolved for no sitting of regular courts from 05 April 2021 to 09 April 2021. During this period only special benches will be constituted for urgent cases.".Fresh guidelines have been issued by the High Court for the functioning of court. .Functioning with minimum strength The High Court will function with minimum strength and till further orders, only the special Benches constituted shall remain operational. The regular sitting of the courts have been restricted till April 9.Following the covid-19 protocol It has been laid down that the wearing of face-mask will be mandatory for entry in the High Court Premises. The Hon’ble Judges and their supporting staff (Private Secretary, Bench Secretary, Peon etc.) in minimum required number will attend the High Court. Urgent listing It has been laid down that in all other matters (fresh as well as filed), urgency application has to be filed and these matters will be placed before the court only after the urgency application is allowed by the special Benches constituted during this period. Further, such urgency applications at Allahabad may be filed either physically or through e-mail prescribed. Filing of casesThe Advocates (w.e.f. 03.04.2021) will file their Cases / Documents / Petitions / Applications in E-mode or in physical form, in the Stamp Reporting Section and the Application Section which will function at Counters. .Virtual court proceedings If any person is desirous of joining Court proceedings through Video Conferencing, then they shall have to send an email indicating his/her mobile number along with case details (Parties' Name, Nature of Case, Case Number, Year etc.) and his email id with a request for being provided a Video Conferencing link to enable him to join the Court proceedings..Spitting is prohibited It has been laid down that consumption of liquor, ‘paan’, ‘gutka’, tobacco inside the premises of the High Court will be prohibited and consumption of the same will attract punishment. Further, spitting in the premises of the High Court is prohibited and will attract punishment..Robes for Lawyers and JudgesThe Chambers of Advocates in the High Court Premises will not be opened. The Robes prescribed for the Hon’ble Judges and the Learned Lawyers shall remain suspended till further ordersAffidavit Centre to be closed The Photo Affidavit Centre will remain closed till further order and the requirement of affidavit in support of the facts averred the matter filed either through e-mode or in hard copy may be dispensed with.[Read the order notified by the Registrar General] .[Read the detailed guidelines for court functioning]