Karnataka High Court directs Principal District and Sessions Judges to persuade eligible Judicial Officers to vaccinate against COVID-19

The Karnataka High Court has directed all Principal District and Sessions Judges to persuade judicial officers in the State who are 45 years of age or above, to get vaccinated against COVID-19 at the earliest..The direction was issued by way of an administrative order signed by Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka in view of the recent spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in the State.."One of the best methods to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to ensure that the Judicial Officers, the members of the Staff and the members of the Bar who are eligible for receiving vaccination take the vaccination immediately. All the Principal District and Sessions Judges/Unit Heads shall persuade all the Judicial Officers who are aged 45 years and above to take the vaccination at the earliest," the order said. .The order was passed taking into account the fact that from April 1, 2021, COVID-19 vaccination would be made available to all citizens who are aged 45 years and above..The Bench further suggested the judges of the District Courts to prepare a list of staff members working in every District and Taluka Court who are 45 or above. ."It is advisable to prepare a list of staff members working in every District and Taluka Court who have completed the age of 45 years and above. The list of such staff members should be made available to the Senior Officials working in the respective Courts as well as the Judicial Officers, who will make an endeavour to persuade the staff members to immediately take vaccination," the order said. .Additionally, the Bench stated that the Principal District and Sessions Judges and the senior most Judicial Officers at the Taluka places shall endeavour to make arrangements for providing vaccination to Judicial Officers, staff members and the members of the Bar by coordinating with the District or Taluka Administration. .CJ Oka also requested all the Principal District and Sessions Judges/Unit Heads to submit compliance reports to the Registrar (Infrastructure and Maintenance incorporating the details of the Judicial Officers and staff members who have taken vaccination by April 16, 2021..The order also took note of the fact that during the pandemic of COVID-19, the judiciary in Karnataka had made the best possible efforts to continue the functioning of all the Courts, so as to ensure that the litigants are not affected..[Read Order]