Calcutta High Court’s driver tested Positive for COVID-19, leading to stay on court proceedings, Immediate quarantine of staff/officers who came in contact with the driver

The on-going global pandemic COVID-19 has proven to bring grim consequences for the staff and judges of the Calcutta High Court. Calcutta High Court is always known for its stature as the court of the Presidency town and was one of the earliest in the establishments.

Most recently it has been reported from the District Judge’s Court, Alipore, South 24 Pargana, that the driver who was responsible in transporting the Skeletal Staff of the District Judge’s court and the staff of the Hon’ble High Court, Mr Shakil Ahmed has been tested positive for COVID-19. The Hospital staff state that he is likely to have contracted the infection from his mother, who was tested positive.

After a series of discussion among the Ld Registrar, District Judge’s court with the ACMOH, Alipore Zone along with the Nodal Officer of COVID-19 pandemic of the district, the staff and officers and others who said to have been either in direct/indirect contact with the said driver shall be advised to go into quarantine immediately. Further, the Special Bench scheduled to held n 29/04/2020 at Alipore was to be postponed due to the arisen exigencies. The same has consented with the Ld. Secretary of both Civil and Criminal Court Bar Association of Alipore.

Further, there was a notice issued by the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, stating no proceedings were to be held on the 30^th of April 2020. The notice also recalled the administrative orders issued on 28^th April 2020, notifying the division and single benches for 4^th, 7^th, 12^th and 15^th of May 2020.

The Notice also stated that apart from the Division Bench presided by the Chief Justice, from the 1^st of May, there will also be 2 division benches and 1 single bench for taking up urgent matters which were notified. There will be no other benches and a maximum of 40 matters on a particular day will be heard, unless otherwise by the Chief Justice. The notice concluded that the division bench would be given a two-day prior notice, before the hearing.

Libertatem.in is now on Telegram. Follow us for regular legal updates and judgements from the court. Follow us on Google News, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook & Twitter. You can also subscribe for our Weekly Email Updates. You can also contribute stories like this and help us spread awareness for a better society. Submit Your Post Now.