Delhi HC, district courts to continue virtual hearing till Feb 11

Delhi High Court has said that it would continue hearing cases through virtual mode till February 11.

According to an office order dated January 12, district courts would also hear matters only through video conferencing mode till n.

"In continuation of this court's office order dated 30.12.2021, as directed by Hon'ble Chief Justice, existing system of hearing of cases in this court [including courts of Registrar and Joint Registrar (Judicial)] as well as in district courts in Delhi shall continue till 11.02.2022," latest order said.

On December 30, high court - which resumed physical hearings from vember 22 - h decided to shift to virtual mode from January 3 in view of rise in COVID-19 cases and subsequent 'yellow alert' declared by government in national capital.

decision to go back to virtual system was taken after an office te was placed before Chief Justice D N Patel highlighting rise in number of cases of COVID-19 infections.

"re is, indubitably, a sudden spurt and spike in COVID-19 cases in NCT of Delhi. Such rise is quite alarming and worrisome. government of NCT of Delhi has alrey issued 'yellow alert' in Delhi. It's high time that this court also takes all possible precautionary and preventive measures to thwart any possibility of resurgence of any wave of extreme nature," statement issued by high court h said.

statement h quoted Justice Patel saying, "I have also consulted with esteemed members of ministrative and General Supervision Committee of this court. y all are also of view that immediate steps are required to be taken to safeguard health and well-being of all stakeholders while also ensuring that justice delivery system remains functional." high court h first moved to virtual system in March 2020 following outbreak of COVID-19, and subsequently, few benches h started holding physical courts everyday on rotation basis.

High court holding physical courts also held hybrid proceedings, wherein lawyers have option to attend hearing via video conference inste of appearing in person.

Last year, complete physical hearings were resumed in high court from March 15 but on April 8, it was ordered that matters would be taken up through virtual mode only on account of second wave.