PANJIM: The Bombay High Court has revised its previous circular about the functioning of the court as the fresh order directs that the functioning of the Court in the High Court at Principal Seat as well as its Benches at Nagpur, Aurangabad and High Court of Bombay at Goa will function from 12- noon to 2 pm until further orders.
Whereas the Office of Register shall function from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm at all Benches and the High Court of Bombay at Goa and by reducing working strength up to 50 percent until further orders.
The order by Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court B P Dharmadhikari further states that the Principal District Judges or the Principal Judges shall decide the timing of the Court functioning as per the situation prevailing in their respective districts.
“The principle idea being to avoid congestion and occasion of close contacts. However, they shall endeavour that the Court working hours are not more than 3 hours in a day and the working hours of the office are not more than 4 hours. They shall also take steps for reducing the attendance of the staff members by about 50 per cent and utilise the staff alternatively. So that it will help de-congestion of Courts,” the circular reads as.
The Bar Associations are also asked to ensure that the Bar Rooms are not crowded and shall not be kept open beyond the office working hours of the respective courts as stipulated by the Principal District Judge / Principal Judge in their Courts. The canteens, cafetaria in the Court shall also remain closed beyond the stated working hours. This advisory also applies to the sub-ordinate Courts in the State.
