![Allahabad, Rajasthan High Court Suspend Functioning until 17th July 2020, and 20th July 2020, Respectively [Read Orders]](/secure/uploads/2020/07/lj_7124_raj.jpeg)
The functioning of Allahabad High Court and Rajasthan High Court has been suspended due to increased cases of coronavirus in the country.
The status of Allahabad High Court:
The Administrative Committee of the High Court of Allahabad has decided that the functioning of the principal seat of the High Court will remain suspended for a further two days, i.e. 16th July 2020 and 17th July 2020. Earlier, the High Court was declared closed on 14 July and 15 July 2020 in view of the "rapid rise" in the number of COVID cases in the city of Prayagraj. Through an administrative order released through Chief Justice Govind Mathur, it is stated that there will be no sitting of the Courts only on 16th and 17th July 2020 at the Allahabad High Court. The list of cases to be taken up on 16th and 17th July 2020 shall be taken up on 20th and 21st July 2020 respectively. The matters fixed for 20th and 21st July 2020 shall be dealt with on 23rd and 24th July 2020 respectively. Furthermore, no physical / e- filing shall take effect on 16th, 17th, and 18th July 2020. The order stated, “There shall be no physical/e-filing of fresh cases on July 16-17. The rapid increase in positive cases of Covid-19 in the city has necessitated immediate adoption of measures to ensure proper sanitization of the court campus.”
The status of Rajasthan High Court:
The functioning of the two benches of the High Court of Rajasthan is suspended till 19th July 2020, as some members of the staff of the court, both in Jodhpur and in Jaipur, tested positive for Covid-19. The High Court has intimated that the sampling of the remaining staff of the court and the Advocates in progress shall be finished by 19th July 2020. The High Court shall, therefore, resume its service from 20 July 2020 on the following terms:
- Hearing of matters shall be allowed by both physical appearance and video conferencing. In a case, a trial could be conducted at the same time by way of a physical appearance, and video conferencing, advocates, or parties choosing for video conferencing must inform the Court Master concerned at least one day in advance of the hearing. The order said, “Hearing of the matters shall be permitted both through physical appearance and video conferencing. In a case, the hearing may be conducted simultaneously through physical appearance and video conferencing.”
- There will be no separate time slot for hearing cases through video conferencing. Such cases would be taken as per their turn in the cause list. Advocates / Parties- in- person, according to the Display Board, will be available for video conferencing well in advance. The court order said, “Such cases would be taken up as per their turn in the cause list. Learned Advocates/ Parties- in- person would remain ready for video conferencing well in advance according to the Display Board.”
The functioning of the High Court of Jodhpur has remained suspended since 9th July 2020. The Jaipur Seat of the High Court was declared closed from 13th July 2020.
