Refrain from calling clients to Courts unless absolutely necessary amid COVID-19: Chief Justice Abhay Oka appeals to lawyers

Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court Abhay Shreeniwas Oka has appealed to lawyers to refrain from calling clients to courts unless their presence is absolutely necessary. ."In the High Court of Karnataka at Bengaluru, the facility of hybrid hearing is available. My appeal to the members of the Bar is to make maximum use of the video-conference facility. The members of the Bar are also requested not to call their clients to the Courts unless their presence is absolutely necessary," said the appeal letter released to this effect. .A similar request was made to all lawyers practicing before the district and trial courts as well. .[COVID-19 surge] Karnataka High Court requests lawyers to appear via video conference mode as much as possible .CJ Oka further made it clear that VC facility can be utilised by advocates even for seeking adjournments. .The reason for the release of the said appeal is the rapid spread of COVID-19 virus in the State. Yesterday, there has been almost 5,000 positive cases in the city of Bengaluru, the letter stated. .It was also highlighted that the High Court is undertaking all measures to immediately provide vaccination to the eligible members of the Bar and urged all members of the Bar to utilize this opportunity. ."If all the members of the Bar and the stakeholders co-operate to the maximum extent, there will not be any occasion for putting any constraints on the functioning of Courts," the appeal concluded. .Karnataka High Court directs Principal District and Sessions Judges to persuade eligible Judicial Officers to vaccinate against COVID-19.The Court has over the week proactively urged members of the Bar to utilize video conference facility as far as possible and also called upon eligible judicial officers to get vaccinated. .[Read Appeal Letter]