Considering the surge in Covid-19 cases, the Uttarakhand high court has ordered suspension of physical hearings in all the district courts, family courts and tribunals in the state, directing that hearings be held via video conferencing. On Tuesday, a notification was issued by the high court registrar (Vigilance) Anuj Sangal in which detailed guidelines were issued for hearing cases via video conferencing with directions to observe the guidelines strictly. Only important cases will be taken up for hearing via video conferencing while physical hearing will be held only for first remand and recording statements under section 164. As the entry of advocates and petitioners will be restricted in the court, the advocates will have to submit an application for hearing of urgent cases in the drop box outside the court. The video conferencing will be held as per the directions issued last year. The HC has also directed the district judges to ask the district bar associations to set up video conferencing rooms in their association halls.
