The Orissa High Court has notified the extension of virtual hearings till September 16, 2020.
The Orissa High Court has notified the extension of virtual hearings till September 16, 2020.
All matters, including affidavits, may be filed online, either through the e-filing portal or via email, or by utilising the Court's dropbox, it is informed.
The High Court's Notice additionally lays down guidelines for the functioning of subordinate courts, adding that hearings are to generally be conducted virtually unless poor internet or other issues make the same impossible.
Where physical hearings are conducted, the presence of parties will not be insisted upon unless unavoidable, the Notice states.
Apart from this, the Notice mandates that COVID-19 safety norms are followed by courts that have physical hearings.
Subordinate courts and Tribunals have been allowed to hear cases on all working days except where the Court is located in a COVID-19 containment area.
The production of accused in Court via video conference is also permitted, the Notice communicates. However, the first remand hearing must necessarily be a physical hearing before a Magistrate, it has been clarified.
Read the detailed Order here:
