The Delhi High Court while considering a writ petition regarding vaccination of lawyers and issue of hybrid hearings, directed the executive committee of DHCBA to constitute a committee which may interact with various stakeholders and submit its recommendations to the executive committee.
A writ petition was filed in the Delhi High court by an advocate of the court, seeking vaccination of members of the Bar council of Delhi and Delhi High court Bar Association and in addition to that, suspension of any physical functioning of the high court or any subordinate courts until vaccination of lawyers is completed. Multiple advocates also supported the petition.
The single judge bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh observed that the matter regarding the vaccination of lawyers was pending before the Apex court, however the learned CGSC and ASG submitted that vaccination of citizens above age of 60 and above age of 45 with co-morbidities was to be commenced shortly. The court directed the ld. Counsels to obtain instructions from the ministry of health regarding vaccination facilities to the Bar on the next date.
On the second issue of physical hearings, the court received multiple submissions seeking hybrid hearing in courts rather than physical hearings with exception of online hearing through video conferencing. The counsel appearing for the Delhi High court sought instructions as to whether there was a written demand for opening of physical hearings from the DHCBA. The counsel appearing for DHCBA on the other hand, sought time from the court to consult with the executive committee and the lawyers before submission of DHCBA’s final stand.
Since the court received multiple submissions regarding hybrid hearings from various members of Bar, it directed the executive committee of the DHCBA to constitute a committee to consult with multiple stakeholders so that it can make its recommendations to the executive committee before DHCBA’s final stand is put on record. The court ordered “considering the urgency in the matter, let the Executive Committee of the DHCBA hold a meeting on 1st March, 2021 at 4:00 pm for discussion on this matter and for constitution of a Committee. Thereafter, the said Committee may interact with the various stakeholders including at least three senior counsels, lady lawyers, some younger lawyers and submit its recommendation to the Executive Committee. The DHCBA shall place its final stand before this Court on the next date of hearing.” The court will hear the matter next on 4th March, 2021.
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