SC directs courts to adopt video conferencing for hearing cases

The Supreme Court Monday directed district courts across the country to adopt video-conferencing prescribed by the concerned high Court for adjudicating the cases in view of COVID-19 pandemic.

"The concerned courts shall maintain a helpline to ensure that any complaint in regard to the quality or audibility of feed shall be communicated during the proceeding or immediately after its conclusion failing which no grievance in regard to it shall be entertained thereafter," a bench headed by Chief Justice Bobde said.

The bench directed that courts shall duly notify and make available the facilities for video-conferencing for such litigants who do not have the means or access to such facilities.

"If necessary, in appropriate cases courts may appoint an amicus-curiae and make video conferencing facilities available to such an advocate," it said, adding, "Until appropriate rules are framed by the high courts, video conferencing shall be mainly employed for hearing arguments whether at the trial stage or at the appellate stage."
While making it clear that "these directions shall operate until further orders", the top court said that these directives have been issued in "furtherance of the commitment to the delivery of justice."
"The challenges occasioned by the outbreak of COVID-19 have to be addressed while preserving the constitutional commitment to ensuring the delivery of and access to justice to those who seek it," the bench said, adding, "Court hearings in congregation must necessarily become an exception during this period."