Rajasthan HC suspends court functioning till July 19 as number of staff testing positive for COVID-19 increases

The Court had recently announced the suspension of court and office work after an employee of its Principal Bench tested positive for COVID-19. The testing of others who may have come in contact with him is in progress.
Rajasthan High court
Rajasthan High court

The Rajasthan High Court has notified that the functioning of the Court and Offices at the Jodhpur and Jaipur Bench would remain suspended from July 16 to July 19 in the wake of a number of Court staff testing positive for COVID-19.

The notification adds,

"Samples of Court Staff at Rajasthan High Court Jodhpur and Jaipur Bench for Covid-19 were taken and few court staff at both the places have been found positive. Sampling of remaining court staff and Advocates is in the process and the reports are likely to be received by 19.07.2020."
Rajasthan High Court

In this regard, the High Court has modified its guidelines on court functioning while adding that,

  • Hearing of the matters shall be permitted both through physical appearance and video conferencing.

  • In a case, the hearing may be conducted simultaneously through physical appearance and video conferencing, those opting for video conferencing would intimate the Court Master concerned at least one day in advance.

  • There will be no separate time slot for hearing of cases through video conferencing. Such cases would be taken up as per their turn in the cause list. Advocates and parties should remain ready for video conferencing well in advance according to the Display Board.

It has further been notified that the functioning of Subordinate Courts, Special Courts and Tribunals shall continue as per the Circular dated June 12, 2020.

The High Court has issued a circular on Sunday stating that Courts were to remain suspended until July 15 while they tested persons who may have come in contact with a staff who was earlier found positive for COVID-19.

Read the Notification here:

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Rajasthan High Court Notification dated July 15.pdf
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