Supreme Court to hear only urgent matters amidst COVID-19

The Supreme Court will have limited functioning and restricted entry into its premises, in light of the advisory issued by the Union Health Ministry on Coronavirus. The SC will also perform limited functions, restricted to urgent matters only.

“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 Supreme Court stated.

“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 courtroom, the court noted.

On Wednesday, the spread of COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation. In India, Section 2 of the Epidemic Diseases Act has been invoked to facilitate the advisories and directions of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to be made applicable across the country.