[COVID-19] Karnataka High Court extends life of all interim orders till January 7

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Karnataka High Court has further extended the life of all interim orders passed by itself, subordinate courts, and tribunals across the State. The effect of the interim orders, which was due to expire within one month, has now been extended till January 7, 2021..A Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka had first extended the life of interim orders by an order dated April 16. This extension was renewed from time to time over the course of the year.On October 1, the Court extended the validity of interim orders till November 29. .The Court has now passed the following directions with respect to extension of interim orders, to ensure that litigants do not suffer on account of their inability to approach the courts during the pandemic:.All interim orders passed by the Karnataka High Court, all the District Courts, Civil Courts, Family Courts, Labour Courts, Industrial Tribunals and all other Tribunals in the State over which this Court has power of superintendence, which are due to expire within a period of one month from today, will continue to operate for a period of one month from today. We, however, make it clear that those interim orders which are not of a limited duration and are to operate till further orders will remain unaffectedIf the Criminal Courts in the State have granted bail orders or anticipatory bail for a limited period which are likely to expire in one month from today, the said orders will stand extended for a period of one month from today;If any orders of eviction, dispossession or demolition are already passed by the High Court, District or Civil Courts, the same shall remain in abeyance for a period of one month from today;Considering the fact that it will be practically impossible for the citizens to approach the Courts for redressal of their grievances for a period of twenty-one days specified in the order of the Ministry of Home Affairs dated 24th March 2020, we sincerely hope that the State Government, Municipal Authorities and the agencies and instrumentalities of the State Government will be slow in taking action of demolition and eviction of persons..In its order, the Court specifically observed that after September 29, the functioning of the courts in the State had considerably improved. However, in some areas, large number of COVID-19 positive cases are being reported. In light of these instances, the Court deemed it appropriate to extend the life of interim orders. .With this, the Court clarified that the continuation of the order will not prevent the courts from hearing the interlocutory applications on which interim or ad-interim orders have been passed..If any applications are made for vacating the interim orders or ad-interim orders, the courts will take up those applications for hearing..[Read the notification]