JKHC orders resumption of physical hearings in courts in J-K, Ladakh

SRINAGAR — The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court on Wednesday ordered the resumption of physical hearing of cases in courts across the Union Territories from February 14 in view of the improvement in the COVID-19 situation.

According to an order, a copy of which lies with Kashmir News Service (KNS), in view of gradual improvement in the conditions arising out of COVID-19, the High Court order No. 441/RG dated 30.06.2021 shall stand revived.

It reads that hearing of cases listed before a Bench in the High Court is permitted through physical mode also with the restriction that in no courtroom more than 10 advocates would be allowed at a time.

“The District and Subordinate Courts and Tribunals in UTs of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh shall also start functioning through physical mode. Entry of advocates into the courtrooms before District and Subordinate Courts and Tribunals shall be restricted to five advocates only at a given time,” it said.

It reads that the guidelines and protocols for prevention of COVID-19 contagion including wearing of masks, frequent use of hand sanitiser and maintaining safe distancing norms are mandatory for all the entrants into the Court premises.

It added, “Only those advocates whose cases are listed in the Courts and who are fully vaccinated shall be allowed entry in the courtrooms. Entry of Litigants, Clerks and Agents of the Advocates into the courtrooms shall remain prohibited for the time being.”

It further reads that entry of witness(s) and accused person(s) only shall be permitted in District and Subordinate Courts and Tribunals provided they are fully vaccinated and subject to strict compliance of SOPs pertaining to the containment of COVID-19 infection.

“Entry in the District and Subordinate Courts and Tribunals shall be permitted to only fully vaccinated persons from the outer gate of the Court Complex. Judicial custody remands shall be given only through video conferencing as far as permissible,” it reads.