Hearing of cases in the Meghalaya High Court and all District Courts and Sub-Divisional Courts in the State will be conducted through video-conferencing from tomorrow in view of the present Covid situation in the State.
The Registrar General of Meghalaya High Court has on January 7 issued circulars for virtual hearing of cases by the High Court and all District Courts and Sub-Divisional Courts in the State from tomorrow till further orders.
According to the circular issued to District Courts and Sub-Division Courts, the hearing of cases will be conducted only through video-conferencing to the extent network supports and as far as possible.
“In case of physical hearing, the concerned Judicial Officer shall take up a limited number of cases every day to ensure that there is no over-crowding and maintaining of social distancing by all concerned,” the circular said.
It also said that the concerned District and Session Judges shall ensure providing required guidance to their subordinate Judicial Officers as and when necessary.
Lawyers or the petitioner or respondent appearing in-person must have stable internet connectivity to prevent disruption of the video-conferencing proceedings. They will have to ensure that the video-conferencing link received by them is not shared with unauthorised persons or those not associated with the case.
The circular also directed that all stakeholders entering the premises of the District Courts and Sub-Divisional Courts have to compulsorily comply with all Covid-19 protocols as applicable.
It also stated that the concerned District and Sessions Judges have to regulate the total strength of the employees attending the office.
It may be noted that Covid cases in Meghalaya are surging everyday even as the State government has announced certain restrictions on timings of shops, movement of vehicles and gatherings.
However, the government is yet to announce any regulation on the strength of employees attending offices.
