Team News Riveting
Patna, December 12
Former joint secretary of the Advocates Association and Patna High Court’s leading lawyer Ms Chhaya Mishra on Saturday requested the Registrar General to facilitate opening of High Court and subordinate courts with normal practicing procedures from the New Year.
In a communication, Ms Mishra said the courts were literally closed since March due to the Corona crisis. She suggested the High Court and subordinate courts should follow the COVID-19 protocols while allowing normal proceedings.
She said the Bihar assembly elections were conducted recently amidst the Corona crisis and a large number of marriages was also taking place. Thousands of people had attended the election meetings of the political parties, though it started through virtual mode but later became a grand success as the meetings were switched over to physical rallies.
Ms Chhaya Mishra said only those advocates, witnesses, accused and party in persons whose matters would be listed on that particular day and whose presence was required by the Courts for any specific purpose, like verification should be permitted to have access in the court building should be allowed. No one should be allowed to enter the Court Halls unless their matter was called out and they should be asked to leave the Court premises as soon as hearing of their case/work was over.
She suggested enough precautionary measures, like compulsory use of face masks covering the nose and the mouth, including at the time of arguments or giving evidence be maintained. In the court premises and in the court halls too, social distancing should be observed.
She recommended the bar rooms, advocates chambers, bar libraries, canteens, photocopying rooms should be allowed to open subject to strict adherence of the COVID protocols, Officers should be deputed to ensure enforcement of the protocols. Office-bearers of the bar associations and bar councils should also cooperate with the court authorities in ensuring success of the implementation of the restrictions, Ms Mishra said.
Before the courts reopen after the winter vacations, the court buildings should be sanitized for three consecutive days and before the courts re-open for regular sittings too, sanitization should continue, she added.
