The High Court of Kerala has decided to continue holding physical sittings but has also constituted a division bench for hearing fresh cases through video conferencing amid the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.
The Kerala HC Advocates' Association (KHCAA) had requested the Chief Justice of the HC to discontinue the physical sittings & physical filings till June 30, in the wake of the report that a policeman who entered the Court has been tested positive for Coronavirus.
However, the new roster published on Tuesday showed that the Court will continue physical sittings.
Till last week, cases allotted to division benches were called in physical Court. However, now a bench comprising of Justice SV Bhatti & Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas will take up fresh cases via video conferencing.
The notice reads, "Appearance of counsel will not be insisted in any matter, in the physical sitting of the court. The option is left to the learned counsel to appear or not. Cases will be heard only if both sides are represented. No cases will be dismissed for default".
The notice also said that the matter for listing before the division bench can only be filed online.
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