In the light of the continuing COVID-19 crisis, the Telangana High Court has issued a circular. This circular suspends the works of Lower Courts or Tribunals of the state till 30.06.2020 or further order. This Order was issued on 13.06.20.
Directions of the Court
The Telangana High Court issued following directions to all the Subordinate Courts, Tribunals, Telangana State Legal Services Authority, Mediation and Arbitration Centre, High Court Legal Services Committee and Telangana State Judicial Academy:
1. The Authorities that will Remain Closed
The High Court directed to remain closed these authorities for regular work till 30.06.2020:
- The Subordinate Courts,
- Tribunals working under the control of the High Court,
- Telangana State Legal Services Authority,
- Mediation and Arbitration Centre,
- High court Legal Services Committee, and
- Telangana State Judicial Academy.
2. Adjourned all the Cases up to June 30 Except for the Urgent Cases
The Court adjourned the cases, listed up to June 30, en bloc to a working day after one month. The District Court website would upload this as well as CIS. The Court instructed all judicial officers to take up urgent civil, criminal cases. The same goes for family matters including custody and adoption. The Courts would conduct video conferencing in the cases ripe for final disposal. Now cases can be heard from Courts instead of the home through video conferencing also. The judicial officers may also instruct the staff to attend the office on a turn basis to assist the Court.
3. Standard Operating Procedure
The implementation of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) dated 08.6.2020 for the District Judiciary is also deferred. This will be in effect until a further order comes.
4. Training by the Judicial Academy
The Telangana State Judicial Academy would continue to take up online sessions. As a result, this will train trainee judicial officers. The said authority would also conduct online refresher courses for the Judicial Officers. This will also happen through video conferencing.
5. Online Filing of Cases
All the Unit Heads would accept the online filing of cases. Physical filing of cases will resume too.
6. Disinfection and Sanitization
Disinfection and sanitization will happen in the Courts. All the unit heads in coordination with district authorities will take steps to do so. Authorities would provide reusable masks to the staff in the unit. Advocates and other stakeholders would maintain physical distance. They will also use masks and sanitizers.
All other instructions issued in reference 1st to 3rd would continue to be in force.
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