The Supreme Court Bar Association of India appealed to the current Chief Justice of India, Mr. SA Bobde for the cancellation of summer vacations. The vacations are scheduled to be held from May 16 to July 5. The SCBA categorically stated that the same was required in the larger interest of the litigants and justice.
Restrictions on various activities of the country are likely to continue even after the first phase of lockdown ends and it was urged that measures should be taken to gradually restore the full functioning of the top court. The period of summer vacation would be treated as “working period” according to the unanimous resolution passed by the bar association.
The lawyers’ body stated that it was deeply concerned about the distress caused to the litigants because of the restricted functioning of the courts throughout the country. On Saturday, advocate Ashok Arora, secretary of SCBA said that the CJI will review the functioning of the apex court every three to four days after consulting with other judges and officials of the health ministry. He said the demand from bar leaders and other bodies that summer vacation this year be preponed can wait for a while and till then status quo is to be maintained.
The lockdown enforced in the country because of the current global COVID- 19 situation has necessitated hearing of only very urgent matters through video link. It also demanded that temporary video- conference facilities be improved for live- streaming of court proceedings. The bar association also clarifies that the move comes as a need to further the interest of the litigants and that the body fully supports the lockdown enforced by the government.
The apex court went into lockdown on March 23 to prevent the spread of corona virus and prohibited entry of advocates and other staff. On April 9, the Delhi High Court decided to suspend the summer vacation of all subordinate courts scheduled to take place in the month of June.
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