Bombay HC Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and otherjudges of the Administrative Committee on Monday held ameeting and issued a circular stating that HC and its benchesat Nagpur, Aurangabad and Goa and all district and magistratecourts across the state shall function as they are doingpresently and would take up hearing on only extremely urgentmatters.
The circular noted it was necessary to scrupulouslyfollow guidelines issued by both Centre and state governmenton precautions to be taken by staff while working.
As per the circular, identity proofs of advocates andlitigants shall be asked for at the entry points of all courtcomplexes, a register will be maintained at these entry pointsand names of all entrants would be recorded.
It said no person shall be permitted to enter thecourt premises without wearing a mask, and any person showingsigns or symptoms of COVID-19 shall not be allowed to enter orremain in the court rooms.
To meet exigencies, an isolation room shall beearmarked for such persons.
"At the entry points of the court complex, liquid soapand water basin will be provided for hand wash and entrance ofeach court room, as far as possible, make provision of handsanitizers," the circular said.
It is also advisable for all lawyers and litigants todownload the Aarogya Setu mobile application, the circularsaid.
The circular further said necessary social distancingshall be maintained inside court premises, including courtrooms and lifts and other departments.
"As far as possible, members of the staff, lawyers andlitigants, who are young and not differently-abled, should beencouraged to use stairs instead of lifts for their ownsafety," it said.
"Judges and members of staff, in the unlikely event ofhaving any symptoms of COVID-19, are requested to immediatelyreport the same to the medical centre," the circular said.
Since the outbreak began, the HC and all other courtsare working on skeletal staff, hearing only extremely urgentmatters through video conference. SPBNM BNM