Coronavirus: SC Restricts Functioning to Hear only "Urgent Matters" as Death Toll Crosses 5,000

New Delhi, March 13, 2020:

Taking cognizance of the emergency posed by the outbreak of the international pandemic coronavirus that has claimed close to 5,000 lives, the Supreme Court of India has decided the functioning of the Court will be restricted to urgent matters with such number of Benches as may be found appropriate.

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A notification issued in this regard undersigned by Secretary General Sanjeev S.Kalgaonkar reads, "The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has issued an Office Memorandum dated 5th March, 2020 as advisory cautioning against mass gathering and the World Health Organisation has also declared Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) as global pandemic advising against mass congregation."

"On reviewing the advisory issued by the Government of India and in view of the opinion of public health experts including medical professionals and also considering the safety and welfare of all the visitors, litigants, lawyers, court staff, security, maintenance and support staff, student interns and media professionals, the Competent Authority has been pleased to direct that the functioning of the Courts shall be restricted to urgent matters with such number of Benches as may be found appropriate", the notice further read.

The notification also informed that no persons except the lawyers who are going to act in the matter, i.e. either for argument or for making oral submissions or to assist along with one litigant only, shall be permitted in the court room. "Mentioning of matters will be made before the Mentioning Officer only", the communique further added.

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The decision was taken after an urgent meeting called by the CJI of India, SA Bobde, at his private residence on Thursday to address concerns in regards to the coronavirus. The meeting was attended by Justice Arun Mishra, Justice UU Lalit, Attorney General KK Venugopal, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, ocials from the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Law along with office bearers of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association (SCAORA).

Meanwhile, with the total number of people affected in India having reached 81, the Maharashtra Government has directed that all malls, theaters, gyms, swimming pools in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Nagpur, Pimpri-Chinchawad to be closed starting midnight today till 30th March.

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