COVID-19: HC restricts its, district courts functioning till May 3

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday decided to restrict its and district courts' functioning to urgent matters only till May 3, in view of the lockdown announced by the central government in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

The Administrative and General Supervision Committee of the High Court, headed by Chief Justice D N Patel, decided the restriction would be in place till May 3 and the urgent matters would be heard by video conferencing.

The committee, in its order, also said that the number of benches, hearing matters through video conferencing, would be increased further.

Till Wednesday, one division bench and two or three single judge bench were hearing the urgent matters.

The order also said that all pending matters before the High Court which were to be heard between April 16 to May 2 are adjourned to corresponding dates between June 16 to July 2, respectively.

The High Court had on March 25 restricted its and district courts' functioning till April 14.

In its order regarding functioning of district courts, the High Court said matters listed in the lower courts between April 16 to May 2 would also be adjourned "en bloc" and "information in this regard be uploaded on District Court website".

It also said that the District and Sessions Judges (DSJs) concerned, as already directed, may permit the judges and other staff officials to work from home, wherever possible.

"All hearings be done preferably through video-conferencing which would automatically result in decongestion in court complexes."