Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar has written to the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court urging him to re-look at the viability of continuation of physical hearings.
He has stated that at the time when the decision was taken to resume physical hearing, the number of reported COVID-19 cases were close to 600 per day and it was felt that the situation was improving in the national capital. Whereas now, Delhi and its surrounding areas are reporting cases in excess of 3500 per day.
“With a deep sense of anguish and pain I say that the time has come to have a serious re-look at the viability of continuation of these physical hearings especially keeping in mind the health and safety of the Hon’ble Judges, my fellow lawyers and the staff, whether employed by the Court or by lawyers. However, the situation has drastically worsened in the past few weeks and there are no signs of improvement at least in the near future. I have learnt that there is once again a shortage of beds in hospitals for COVID patients and hence there is an urgent need to maintain precautions.”, Nayar writes.
Last month, Senior Advocate Nayar had written to the Chief Justice and urged him to not resume physical hearings in the High Court. Subsequently, the High Court resumed graded physical hearing from September 1 for a period of 14 days, on an experimental basis.
“The system of hearings through video conferencing, which has been put in place is working wonders and now the time has come to expand the hearings to regular matters as well instead of en bloc adjournments to another date. The Hon’ble Courts have adapted well to these systems and now are in a position to take up a large number of matters, if not all, through video conferencing. Once the situation improves, we all look forward to a full-scale resumption of our beloved High Court”, Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar has written.
