Ensure third wave of COVID-19 does not result in closure of courts: Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka

Karnataka High Court Chief Justice, Abhay Shreeniwas Oka on Thursday opined that owing to huge backlog of cases, courts cannot afford to a have another ‘closure’ due to COVID-19 pandemic .He said that the judiciary suffered in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic since a number of working days were lost. “In 2020 and 2021 the judiciary has suffered because of covid-19. Large number of working days were lost due to lockdown and due to the situation created by spread of Covid-19. Considering the huge arrears, we cannot afford to have third closure of the Courts”, opined CJ Oka.He was speaking at the online (virtual) Inauguration of newly constructed residential quarters for judicial officers and lawyers chamber for Bidar district judiciary..In order to avoid another closure of courts, people should get vaccinated, wear face masks and maintain social distancing, he emphasised. “The third closure of the courts can be avoided by ensuring three things (1) vaccination (2) continuous use of mask (3) maintaining social distancing. Not only that the litigants have suffered because of arrears created due to closure of the courts, even the members of the bar have been considerably affected,” he said.CJ Oka also pointed out that COVID-19 pandemic had financially affected young lawyers the most.“Young members of the Bar were the real victims. Their income completely stopped due to lockdown.”.Therefore, the judge said that Bar and Bench have to ensure that they don’t contribute to spread of COVID-19.“Not only for the cause of justice but also for the benefit of the bar, we have to ensure that by starting functioning of the court we don't contribute to spread of Covid-19. It is the responsibility and obligation of all of us to strictly follow Covid-19 norms and ensure that third wave does not result in closure of the courts," he said. CJ Oka also appealed to all the members of the Bar to co-operate with the judiciary and the administration so as to dispose of maximum number of cases.He also expressed hope that with modern facilities in place, younger members of the Bar will excel in presenting their cases.