Virtual hearing in all Courts in J&K, Ladakh extended till June 15

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Monday extended the virtual hearing of the cases in both of its wings as well as in the District and Subordinate Courts and Tribunals in J&K and Ladakh up to June 15.

“After taking feedback with regard to the prevailing situation due to the spread of COVID-19 infection cases in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and also the latest SOPs and Guidelines of the Government in vogue, the High Court order No. 259 of 2021/RG dated 26.04.2021, read with order No. 299 of 2021/RG dated 10.05.2021 and order No. 332 of 2021/RG dated 25.05.2021, is further extended up to 15th June, 2021,” Registrar Judicial, Jawad Ahmad, said in an order.

Earlier, the Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal extended till May 31 the order dated April 26 by virtue of which he had directed that filing as well as hearing of cases in both wings of High Court as well as in the District and Subordinate Courts and Tribunals shall be conducted through Virtual Mode till May 15 which now has been extended till the end of June 15.

The Chief Justice had directed that the entry of litigants, public and clerks of the Advocates into the Court premises from the very outer gate shall be strictly prohibited in both wings of the High Court.

“For filing of cases, Registrars Judicial of both wings of the High Court shall create a dedicated email address of their respective filing counters and notify the same to the advocates/litigants by making it available on the website of the High Court,” he directed.

‘Ordinarily Before Notice’ matters shall be taken up by each Bench unless urgency in respect of any ‘After Notice’ matter is shown to the satisfaction of the Bench concerned, the April 26 order reads.

“Physical hearing in respect of any listed matter will be at the discretion of the Bench concerned subject to the satisfaction of the Bench regarding extreme urgency involved in such matter and thereafter such case shall be taken up for physical hearing on the date fixed by the Bench,” reads the order, adding, “On account of virtual hearing, entry of lawyers in the High Court premises is not required unless any advocate is permitted for physical hearing in any extremely urgent matter.”

In order to decongest the sections/offices/Courts, the Chief Justice had said the officials shall be permitted to function in batches with 50 percent reduction on rotation basis. “The roster in this regard, shall be formulated by the Registrar Judicial of the concerned wing,” the order said.

Regarding District and Subordinate Courts and Tribunals in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, the Chief Justice ordered that entry of litigants, public and clerks of the Advocates into the Court premises from the very outer gate shall be strictly prohibited.