heard
593
matters via video-conferencing and
delivered judgement
in
215 of them
in a month
during the unprecedented nationwide
lockdown.
As
COVID–
19 infections spread
in the country, the Supreme Court shut its doors to litigants and lawyers on March 23, two days before the
lockdown came into force, but opened up to a virtual new way of functioning, albeit with a reduced strength.
In normal times, the apex court dispose of nearly 3,500
cases on an average a month.
Two-three benches have been taking up “urgent”
matters
in virtual courtrooms daily
during the
lockdown period as compared to up to 16 benches hearing
cases
in normal times.
A total of 87 benches
heard
593
cases on 17 working days between Match 23 and April 24, according to data provided by the court.
Though the first phase of the nationwide
lockdown for containing the spread of coronavirus started on March 25, the apex court had issued a circular on March 23 restricting entry of advocates and litigants
in its premises.
The circular had said that only
matters involving extreme urgency would be
heard by the top court through video-conferencing
during the
lockdown, which has now been extended till May 3.
The data released by the top court said that as on April 24, the apex court had disposed of 84 review petitions.
It said that out of 87 benches, 34
heard main
matters while 53 benches took up review petitions for adjudication.
The data said that 390 main
matters, along with 203 connected
cases, were
heard
during this period.
It said
verdicts were
delivered
in
215
cases, out of which 174 were connected
matters.
Regarding the problem of technical glitches faced by lawyers
during hearing through video-conferencing, an apex court source said this is due to internet connectivity issues at the residences or offices of advocates.
The source said that Supreme Court judges, who are hearing
matters through video-conferencing from their residences, have been provided with internet connectivity with speed of up to 100Mbps at their residences and they have not experienced any difficulties.
Many lawyers join the hearing through their mobile phones or tablets and they get disconnected when their device receives another call, said the source.
According to the annual report 2018-19, published by the Supreme Court, a total of 34,653
cases were disposed of between January and October last year, making it an average of 3,465
cases a month.
