[COVID-19] "War-like situation; Judges, lawyers must act like soldiers, fight like they would on battlefield:" Chief Justice AS Oka

In order to combat COVID-19 pandemic, judges and lawyers must be like soldiers on battlefield and should constantly adapt and improvise their strategies, opined the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka on Sunday..Likening the COVID-19 pandemic to a war-like situation, Chief Justice (CJ) Oka exhorted judicial officers and members of the Bar to carry on the relentless fight against the virus. .“I feel there is a war-like situation on at the moment. Members of the judiciary must act like soldiers and adapt their strategies to combat Covid-19. I have told this to judicial officers and staff. Members of the Bar should also fight like they would on the battlefield. We have succeeded in the first wave, and we will be successful in the second wave too,” he said. .The CJ was speaking on the topic ‘Challenges before the Legal Fraternity in Covid Times’ at a webinar organised by the Advocates’ Association of Bangalore (AAB). .CJ Oka took the opportunity to remind the Bar and the Bench that despite pandemic and second wave, large number of people pin their hopes on judiciary for justice. "Whether there is lockdown or not, whether there is second wave or not, there are waiting people waiting in queue for justice," he observed. .He also gave data on the number of judicial officers and advocates who succumbed to COVID-19 while expressing his regret, ."I want to share some figures with you. From 1st April, 2021 to till 18th May, 2021, unfortunately and sadly, 190 members of the Bar have died in the State due to COVID-19. 16 staff members of various courts in the State have succumbed to COVID-19. During this period, 90 judicial officers were infected, fortunately, most of them have recovered. 616 staff members, all over the State were infected."The CJ further observed that in the first wave of the virus, there were 10,000 cases per day in the State. However, in the second wave, the numbers have risen to 30,000 cases per day, he said. "Karnataka has even surpassed Maharashtra, which is witnessing a depletion in the number of active cases. Therefore, this time, the second wave has affected the Judiciary in a very bad way. Even litigants have been affected," he added. .The CJ also opined that keeping courts working to a minimum will not be a solution to tackle the pandemic since that will lead to denial of justice to citizens. "If we confine the working of the Courts to a minimum, we will be denying justice. Our role (Judges, Judicial officers and members of the Bar) is as important as Doctors, nurses and other frontline workers. The reason is that it is our primary duty to impart justice. Whether there is lockdown or not, whether there is second wave or not, there are waiting people waiting in queue for justice. There are people languishing in jails, whose personal liberty is important. There is the working class of laboureres, who have either lost their jobs or their income has been substatinially reduced," he reminded. .My request to all of you (lawyers) is to wear double mask.Karnataka High Court Chief Justice AS Oka.However, he said that considering the interest of the members of the Bar, it will be appropriate to not have physical hearing of cases at the principal Bench for a few days. In this regard, the Court will have twenty Benches functioning via video conference (VC) on an 'experimental basis'.Earlier, there were only twelve such Benches functioning via VC.During his address, the Chief Justice also advised advocates to be extremely cautious while entering court premises for filing purposes."My request to all of you is to wear double mask. Almost all sitting Judges are wearing double masks. Ideally, you should be wearing a surgical mask and an N-95 mask," he said. .CJ Oka also assured the lawyers that the Bench will be there to support them at all times. "I assure the members of the Bar that, if any help is required, any issue arises, we are always available, 24x7, to assist the members of the Bar,” he said.