The Punjab and Haryana High court has decided to start physical hearings in all lower courts but has left the decision on District and Sessions Judges to decide when to start them.
According to orders issued in this regard by Sanjiv Berry, Registrar General, to District and Sessions Judge, all guidelines/health advisories issued by the Government of India and respective state governments from time-to-time will be strictly followed.
The High Court has left it to the authorities to decide on the matter based on local conditions. The order read, “In continuation of letter dated 06.10.2020 issued by this office, Hon’ble the Chief Justice has been pleased to order that all the District and Sessions Judges in the State of Punjab, Haryana and UT Chandigarh shall permit the physical hearings in all categories of cases subject to their own assessment of prevailing local conditions including the intensity of spread of Covid-19 pandemic. You are further requested to send weekly report regarding duration/time of sitting of each Presiding Officer in Court, number of cases listed before each Court, gist of work done and disposal thereof, on each day.”
