High Court Bar Association requests Chief Justice to start Physical Courts instead of Virtual ones

The President of Gujarat High Court Advocates' Association (GHCAA), Mr Yatin N Oza has written to Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court, Justice Shri Vikram Nath requesting for physical functioning of the Court instead of virtual function of the Court.

The letter disclosed that an Agenda was circulated and then put to vote in which it was asked from the Members of the Bar whether they wished for physical functioning of the court or virtual functioning of the court.

A total of 800 members participated in this referendumand and almost 64% of the Members of the Bar expressed their desire that the court should function physically, while 36% expressed their desire for the virtual functioning of the court.

The letter mentioned that around 1800 members out of 2400 members wish that the Court should function physically, They are willing to adjust with all those precautions that the Chief Justice and his fellow Judges will decide.

A list of reasons given in favour of physical functioning of the Court:

1.The State of Gujarat has permitted almost all commercial activities including opening of malls and hospitality sector apart from places of worship and it is presumed that the State on its Executive side is custodia-legis of its subject.

2.The State Government is of the opinion that after almost more than two months it is fit to open up almost all the commercial activities after analysing the present scenario.

3. Sachivalaya has been opened and people visiting Sachivalaya are far more than people visiting the High Court

4. A doctor of high repute and eminence suggested several precautions in a Webinar and opined that the Courts can safely be reopened for physical hearing without any risk

Asserting the above, in the letter, the Hon'ble Chief Justice has been requested to take this view in his kind consideration that there is no harm in opening up the High Court for physical hearing.

The restrictions imposed by the Lordships shall be strictly followed such as prohibition on the entry of litigants or any other the concerned authority deem to be fit.