On Wednesday, as India went under lockdown to contain the spread of the novel Coronavirus, the Delhi High Court issued a notice which says that the functioning of the High Court will be suspended to help contain the effect of COVID-19.
The Supreme Court of India had already said that it will not house a bench in the courthouse physically but will hear the cases through video conferencing. This is the same thing that the Supreme Court of United Kingdom is undertaking.
Suspension of the functioning of the Delhi High Court comes after the order issued by the Government of India (GOI) pertaining the nationwide lockdown for 21 days and in continuation of Delhi High Court’s Office Order, the Chief Justice D N Patel has directed that all the functioning of the Delhi High Court will be suspended until 15th of April 2020.
The notice also listed which matters which would be adjourned due to the suspension of the Delhi High Court’s functioning.
In a statement issued by Britain’s Supreme Court, it was said that the apex court will now switch to video conferencing to hear the cases and deliver the judgements for the same.
The statement which was quoted in an international news agency said, “As a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the UK Supreme Court and Judicial Committee of the Privy Council will hear all cases and deliver judgments through video conferencing, from tomorrow,”.
Even the building of the Supreme Court located in London will be closed temporarily, however, it said that both public and media will be able to follow the proceedings of the cases online.
