New Delhi | Jagran News Desk: In significant move, the Supreme Court has said that virtual courts were on the verge of commencement and there could only be a possibility of limited shutdown at the present instance amid the coronavirus scare in the country.
A bench, that included CJI SA Bobde, said that there cannot be a complete shutdown of courts due to the novel coronavirus.
The CJI also held a meeting with four judges of the top court, bar leaders of the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association and eminent doctors, including Randeep Guleria from the AIIMS to discuss about the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.
"The meeting was chaired by the Chief Justice of India along with Justice Arun Mishra, Justice UU Lalit, Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice L. Nageswara Rao," the SCAORA said in its statement.
The statement further claimed that CJI Bobde said that any demand of the bar and the bench would be subordinated to the medical advice drawn in the meeting.
A declaration ought to obtained by all the persons seeking entry to the court, stating: "Whether the person has travelled overseas especially to any of the notified countries? (and in case of the person having visited any of the notified countries he/she should not be allowed any access to the Court)," one of the advice reads.
It said that a visitor to the apex court would have to disclose either the person had any cough or cold for past one or two days.
"Whether the person has anybody in his close contact of any infected person?," it said.
The CJI has suggested that both the SCBA and SCAORA should ensure that "proper communications were to be made with the members of the bar with regard to the awareness of self discipline and also motivate the members (in case of symptoms) to disclose and self restrain from attending courts".
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The CJI asked bar bodies to deploy volunteers in court halls, and encourage the members to keep distance and request the lawyers to leave the premises as soon as their matter concludes.
"Members of the bar to be prepared to accept, encourage and promote e-filing and video conference of court halls, which will commence shortly," it said.
The judges have also assured that no adverse orders will be passed and adjournments will be granted leniently, it added.
(With PTI inputs)