[BREAKING] Supreme Court may advance summer vacation by one week; CJI Ramana to consider opening COVID care centre with 60 beds

The Chief Justice of India, NV Ramana has agreed to examine the request by Bar members to advance the summer vacation of the top court by one week in view of the COVID-19 situation in the capital, said SCBA President Vikas Singh. .If the request is accepted by the top court, the apex court's summer break is likely to start on May 8 and continue till June 27 with the Court reopening on June 28. .Supreme Court sources clarified that CJI Ramana has in principle agreed to place the proposal before the full court for a final decision, though no official decision has been taken yet..The development came about after an emergency meeting was held by the CJI with the representatives of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association (SCAORA) and Bar Council of India..The CJI also agreed to consider the request to provide a suitable area for establishing medical facilities for at least 60 beds and other facilities like RT-PCR tests, COVID-19 vaccination etc. .Supreme Court Bar Association requests CJI NV Ramana to convert new lawyers building as COVID-19 care centre, advance Summer vacation.As per SCBA President Vikas Singh, CJI agreed to consider using the advocates' chamber block as COVID care unit. In the meanwhile, tehsildar, Chanakyapuri was briefed to make arrangements so that the building could be inspected for use. .Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) had earlier written to the CJI to convert the newly constructed advocates chamber building at Appu Ghar complex to a COVID-19 care centre for the benefit of lawyers, court staff and their families who are COVID positive..SCBA had pointed out that the second wave of COVID-19 is set to reach its peak by mid May and that Delhi government has extended its lockdown till May 1. In view of the same, the suggestion was also made to advance the summer vacation..The letter also stated that if the vacant lawyers chamber block in the new premises is allocated to be used as a COVID care centre, then a request can be made to State government to take over the same.The facility can be used by members of SCBA and their families and the registry and staff of the Supreme Court and their families, it was suggested.