After the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued an Office Memorandum dated 5th March, 2020 as advisory cautioning against mass gathering in the light of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) being declared as a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Supreme Court has restricted the functioning of the Courts from Monday, 16 March, 2020 to urgent matters with such number of Benches as may be found appropriate.
The Court notified that
“no persons except the lawyers who are going to act in the matter, i.e. either for argument or for making oral submissions or to assist along with one litigant only, shall be permitted in the court room. Mentioning of matters will be made before the Mentioning Officer only.”
The said Notification came after reviewing the advisory issued by the Government of India and the opinion of public health experts including medical professionals, in order to ensure safety and welfare of all the visitors, litigants, lawyers, court staff, security, maintenance and support staff, student interns and media professionals.
Click here to read the entire Notification