Gujarat HC Advocates' Association writes to Chief Justice; judiciary should not remain dormant, says Senior Counsels.

The Gujarat High Court Advocates’ Association (GHCAA) has written to Chief Justice Vikram Nath seeking more courts for hearing of cases through video conferencing. Earlier, top senior counsels had made similar demands “in the interest of justice”.

Citing examples of hearing in Supreme Court and Bombay High Court, GHCAA president Yatin Oza, in his letter dated May 18, wrote:

“Be pleased to be good enough to increase the number of Benches to hear the matter by virtual courts for speedy disposal of the cases. The Bombay High Court is fully functional and practically all the judges sit in the courtroom and matters are taken up either by way of physical hearing or virtual hearing."

It also sought the launch of a helpline to redress issues being faced by lawyers while filing cases online. “One permanent helpline number be notified to solve the grievances of advocates... The Supreme Court too has a helpline number for this purpose,” the letter read.

Earlier, Senior Counsels Mihir Thakore, Saurabh Soparkar, Percy Kavina, and PK Jani among others had suggested to the chief justice that courts gradually begin functioning.

“We have taken up the issue with the chief justice and conducted a webinar for making courts functional gradually and hear matters through video conferencing,” Thakore told Mirror.

Kavina said:

“The judiciary cannot be dormant during the lockdown, as it has been (at present). The state takes several measures during the lockdown, but even if a citizen doesn’t like them, he cannot do anything as there is no court to hear the case. Not only urgent but also important matters should be heard.”

At present, the Gujarat High Court is functioning with limited strength while lower courts also taking up only urgent matters.

Source Link

Picture Source :