SC stops physical hearing of cases after several staff members test Covid-19 positive

An apex court official said 44 employees got infected in the last week

The Supreme Court on Monday delayed sittings of courts by one hour and stopped physical mentioning of matters for urgent hearing, due to high incidences of Covid-19 cases among staff.

As many as 44 staff were found positive of Covid-19, forcing the administration to sanitise the apex court's premises. It was also decided for judges to hold the virtual courts from their residences only, sources said.

Two notifications were issued stating that the courts would take up matters from 11.30 am instead of usual timing of 10.30 am. The bench led by CJI which starts normally on all working days from 11 am also rescheduled its sitting after one hour. Meanwhile, physical mentioning of the matters before the SC official for urgent listing was suspended. Lawyers were allowed to mention the matters by virtual mode before the court.

The top court has been holding virtual hearings of cases since March, 2020 after emergence of Covid-19 pandemic.

Newly elected office bearers, including President of Supreme Court Bar Association, Vikash Singh has repeatedly made demands to start physical hearings of the matters due to hardships faced by young and junior counsel.