Jammu and Kashmir courts to hear cases physically from Feb 8 as coronavirus cases decline

The physical hearing of cases in courts across Jammu and Kashmir will resume from next week following elaborate Covid-19 norms.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Justice, Justice Pankaj Mithal said that the physical hearing of cases in the High Court as well as in the district, subordinate courts and tribunals will resume from February 8.

To ensure that there is no complacency against the spread of Covid-19, the order called for following certain protocols. The entry of the advocates into the court rooms will be regulated case-wise while the general entry in court rooms shall continue to remain prohibited, the order read.

The entry of clerks and agents of the advocates into the court rooms shall continue to be prohibited for the time being while the entry of litigants and public into the Court premises shall continue to be barred, the order said. If, however, any litigant on any reasonable ground is compelled to argue his case personally, he shall be allowed entry into the Court premises subject to the condition that he makes an application at least two days prior to the date of hearing through email.

For the time being, advocates are free to file their cases/applications either physically or virtually, the order said. For the time being, issuance of the cause list of the High Court in hard/printed form shall continue to be suspended and will be in the soft form and made available on the official website of the High Court.

This protocol will be reviewed periodically depending on the spread of the virus.