PANJIM: Chief Justice and Judges of the Administrative Committee have approved regular functioning of the subordinate courts in the States of Maharashtra, Goa and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, from December 1.
The order issued on Friday, however does not include the Pune Judicial District Courts. The decision along with Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), follows on taking into account the present situation of COVID-19 pandemic and views of the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa.
As per the order, the judicial working hours will be of two and half hours duration from 11 am to 1.30 pm and from 2 pm to 4.30 pm with 100 per cent presence of the judicial officers and staff in each shift. The SOP also mentions that the judicial officers may not pass adverse order owing to absence of advocates, parties, witnesses or accused persons. “In the first shift, preferably, the cases which are fixed for evidence and in the second shift, preferably, the cases which are fixed for judgment, order or hearing of arguments may be taken up,” it further said.
The order also states that only concerned persons including advocates whose matters are listed on that day’s board or whose presence is required by the court will be permitted to have access in the court building.
The SOP lists safety/precautions measures such as compulsory wearing of face masks, to maintain social distance, disallow entry to persons with COVID-19 symptoms, Bar Associations to observe all safety norms and ensure sanitisation of the Bar rooms, etc.
The SOP will remain in force till further orders, but Registrar General S G Dige in the order has stated that in case the situation owing to pandemic is worsened, the Principal District Judge/Head of the Establishment may approach the High Court and seek appropriate directions.
