Gauhati High Court issues directions to tackle COVID outbreak

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: In the wake of the recent surge in cases of COVID-19, the Gauhati High Court has issued a set of directions, which shall apply to the Principal Seat of the Gauhati High Court, the Outlying Benches at Kohima, Aizwal, and Itanagar, and the subordinate Courts of Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh.

The directions are as follows:

* There shall be restricted Court functioning with a staggering roster in all the courts, to maintain social distancing.

* 50 per cent of the staff of the Principal Seat and the Outlying Benches, below the level of Administrative Officer (Judicial), shall attend office alternately. The Administrative Officer (Judicial) I In-charge of the concerned Sections of the Registry shall allot the roster duties amongst the officers and staff as per requirement. Moreover, the Administrative Officer (Judicial)/ In-charge of the concerned Sections shall ensure that the urgent work of their respective Sections is not affected.

* The same arrangement is to be followed in the subordinate Courts of Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh. The details of the roster are to be worked out by the concerned District & Sessions Judge, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Special Judge, Principal Judge, Family Court, Member, MACT, etc.

* All officers and staff of the Principal Seat, the Outlying Benches, and the subordinate Courts must wear face masks covering the nose and mouth.

* Entry of outsiders shall be strictly prohibited in the Court premises, unless specifically directed by the concerned authority or unless the personal appearance of a party is required in a judicial proceeding. No person, except the learned Advocates/parties appearing in person who are to address arguments, shall be permitted in the Courtroom.

* For an urgent listing of matters in the principal seat, learned advocates may send e-mail to the Courts in the respective Court e-mail IDs (as mentioned in the notice dated 28-9-2020) in the prescribed format as notified earlier (the notice dated 28-9-2020).

* The subordinate Courts of Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh shall take up all matters through video conferencing except recording of statement u/s 164 and 313 of the Cr. P.C, bail matters, zimma matters, temporary injunction matters, remand matters, etc. However, the District Judges in consultation with the president/secretary of the Bar may take such categories of cases in physical form in a staggered manner depending upon the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the respective districts. The District Judges may also consider taking up any other matter as urgent, which they in their wisdom consider urgent.

* Any case, applications, or affidavit filed in the Filing Section shall be listed after four clear days as enumerated in Order No. 25 dated 08-5-2020.

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