Courts reopen in Pune, civic buses yet to resume services

Pune district and sessions court, or lower and subordinate courts here in Maharashtra resumed work on Monday following easing of lockdown restrictions.

Some private offices also opened with limited staff, but civic-run buses were yet to resume operations in city.

According to Pune Bar Association, district and sessions court located in Shivajinagar area resumed operations with limited work capacity.

"As per guidelines issued, court has resumed with staff working in two shifts. Only lawyers and pre-decided parties, who have urgent hearings, are being allowed to enter court complex," Pune Bar Association's vice president Sachin Hingankar said.

courts will hear only urgent matters, like ones in final st of arguments and order, he said "Lawyers and or people have been asked t to come to court without any urgent work and those who come should leave immediately after work is over," he said.

Social distancing and hygiene guidelines are being followed, he said. private chambers of lawyers in court premises have t been allowed to open, he said.

"Since today was first day court reopened after almost three months, re was some crowd but we have appealed to all stakeholders to refrain from coming to court without any urgent work," he said.

Besides courts, some private offices in city also reopened with limited staff. However, Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML), civic body's transport utility, is yet to start bus services in city.

"Bus services have started on some key routes in  neighbouring Pimpri Chinchward municipal limits, but operations are yet to resume in Pune city," an official from PMPML said.