Karnataka High Court eases restrictions on entry into courts owing to decline in COVID-19 cases

Keeping in mind the declining number of active COVID-19 cases in the State, the Karnataka High Court has eased restrictions on entry of advocates at the Principal Bench of the High Court as well as taluk and district courts from June 28.

A revised standard operating procedure (SOP) was notified on this regard by the High Court on June 25.

“All benches shall hear all the cases by hybrid mode of both physical and online in both sessions,” the SOP said.

Though the SOP permits hybrid mode, it urged all advocates to prefer virtual appearance.

However, litigants and parties in persons are not allowed to enter court complexes unless there is a specific order of a court to that effect.

The SOP further said that these relaxations on entry to courts will not apply to courts in Mysuru district, which has a higher number of COVID-19 cases.

Courts in taluks and districts will hear only limited number of cases. Further, witnesses would be allowed to enter court premises only if the respective courts have ordered for their presence, states the SOP.

[Read SOP]