On Friday, the Punjab & Haryana High Court issued Notice asking the District & Sessions Judges in the State of Punjab, Haryana and U.T. Chandigarh to permit the physical hearing in all categories of cases.
The Notice though mentioned while the Courts are needed to start such hearings subject to their own assessment of prevailing local conditions including intensity of spread of the pertaining COVID-19 Pandemic.
The Notice also mentioned that the Guidelines/Health advisories issued by the Government of India and the respective State Governments from time to time, shall have to be strictly followed.
A weekly report regarding duration/time of sitting of each Presiding Officer in Court, number of cases listed before each Court, gist of work done and disposal thereof, on each day has also been asked.
The Judges have been requested to consult with the respective Bar Associations, Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, Civil Surgeon and other Health Authorities and sort out any problem relating to physical hearing, if they have any.
The Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana was clearly resented with Physical Courts not being functional as so much that it recently released a press note warning that if no decision is taken to start the physical hearing by 11th Jan 2021 then they shall resort to agitation.
The Bar had also requested the CJ to at-least start physical hearing in 50% courts simultaneously with virtual hearing.
The Hunger Strike by Bar Members was also observed to show their surge towards the issue.
The Bar had also requested the CJ to at-least start physical hearing in 50% courts simultaneously with virtual hearing.
Patna High Court has also recently started the Physical Hearings on 'experiment basis' for two weeks.
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