The Supreme Court today directed the suspension of the limitation period running under all general and special laws, with effect from March 15, 2020, in view of the difficulties faced by the litigants in approaching the courts amidst the Coronavirus pandemic.
In this regard, the order passed by three-Judge Bench comprising of Chief Justice SA Bobde and Justices L Nageswara Rao and Surya Kant reads,
"To obviate such difficulties and to ensure that lawyers/litigants do not have to come physically to file such proceedings in respective Courts/Tribunals across the country including this Court, it is hereby ordered that a period of limitation in all such proceedings, irrespective of the limitation prescribed under the general law or Special Laws whether condonable or not shall stand extended w.e.f. 15th March 2020 till further order/s to be passed by this Court in present proceedings."
Supreme Court
The Bench passed the order invoking its special powers under Article 142 of the Constitution of India. Further, it held that the same shall be binding on all Courts/Tribunals as per Article 141.
The Apex Court has also directed that this order be brought to the notice of all High Courts and subordinate Courts/Tribunals.
[Read the Order]
