As COVID cases resurge, Court issues fresh SOPs

Srinagar, Mar 22 : A local court here on Monday issued new protocol in wake of the ongoing COVID-19, stating that entry of litigants and public into the Court premises from the main gate shall continue to be prohibited while only those Advocates can enter the Court building on a given day whose cases are listed on that date before any Court at District Court Complex Srinagar.

In this regard, a notification was issued by Principal District & Sessions Judge, Srinagar, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). The notification has been issued in compliance of order No: 121 of 2021/RG dated 21-3-2021 issued by Hon’ble High Court of Jammu and Kashmir.”

“Attention of litigants, lawyers and public in general is invited to Order No: 121 of 2021/RG dated 21.3.2021, whereby the Hon’ble Chief Justice Common High Court of J&K and Ladakh has been pleased to direct that entry of litigants and public into the Court Premises from the very outer gate shall continue to be prohibited. If, however, any litigant on any reasonable ground is compelled to argue his case personally, he shall be allowed entry into the Court premises subject to the condition that he makes an application at least two days prior to the date of hearing through e-mail to the Registrar Judicial/Presiding Officer of the Court disclosing such compelling reasons and seeking permission in that regard.”

“If and when any such application is made by any litigant, the Registrar Judicial/Presiding Officer concerned shall consider the same and, if satisfied, may permit such litigant to enter into the Court Premises and inform the litigant of such order by return e-mail. A copy of such order shall also be sent by the Registrar Judicial/Presiding Officer concerned to the Incharge, Security at the main gate of the Court premises for necessary action,” the notification said.

It added that in order to ensure strict compliance to the directions issued herein-above, the following guidelines are hereby issued for lawyers and litigants to be complied with in letter and spirit: All the latest SOPs of the Central and Union Territory of J&K Government regarding gathering at Public places shall be followed in letter and spirit.

“Ld. Advocates shall be allowed entry into the Court premises. However, the Advocates shall themselves restrict their entry in a manner that only those Advocates enter the Court building on a given day whose cases are listed on that date before any Court at District Court Complex Srinagar including Pantha- Chowk,” the notification reads.

“On entry in to the District Court Complex Srinagar, Advocates shall strictly maintain the social distancing SOP’s while waiting for hearing of their cases. They shall not huddle either in the well or in the gallery outside the Court Rooms. As and when their cases are finished they shall make an endeavour to leave the court premises at once,” it further reads.

“Entry of the Advocates into the court rooms shall be regulated case wise. General entry in Court rooms shall continue to remain prohibited. Only such Advocates shall be allowed entry into a Court room as may be representing a party in a given case upto the maximum of two Advocates for each party. As and when a case is called/displayed on a Display Board fixed outside the Court Room, the appearing Advocates may enter the Court room and shall maintain a distance of six feet between themselves. In the gallery, outside the court rooms, at the most, Advocates representing the parties in other two following cases according to serial number in the cause list shall wait for their turn, again maintaining the requisite distance. As and when the adv…