District Judges asked to hold courts in virtual mode to hear urgent matters

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court today directed District Judges to declare courts under their judgeship to remain closed in case containment zone order is declared in any area by the Odisha government or any authority of the government. Also, the District judge will have to intimate the High Court about the containment zone order.

The HC further said, “In case of lockdown/shutdown or in any such eventuality/general preventive measure taken by the State authority in respect of that judgeship, the District Judge shall instruct and take recourse to adopt functioning of the Courts in virtual mode/video conferencing, as far as practicable to take up only extremely urgent matters under intimation to the High Court.”

District Judge or the Presiding Officer will allow functioning of the office/Court with the minimal staff to ensure adherence of social distancing and other COVID-19 guidelines/norms.

The HC added accused will be produced in a court as required under the law.