Srinagar, May 10: Keeping in view the alarming surge in COVID-19 infection cases, the Jammu Kashmir High Court Monday extended virtual hearing of cases in all courts of JK and Ladakh till May 31.

The Chief Justice (CJ) Pankaj Mithal issued the order after observing that some Judicial Officers and officials of the district and subordinate Judiciary are reported to have tested COVID-19 positive.

"Therefore, the Judicial Officers of the Subordinate Judiciary are at liberty to work through virtual mode from their respective official residences,” the Chief Justice said. 

However, for remand purposes or for meeting any judicial exigency, chief justice has directed concerned district judges to prepare a sitting roster for district judges and magistrates.

The Chief Justice, on April 26, had ordered that filing as well as hearing of cases in both wings High Court as well as in the District and Subordinate Courts and Tribunals shall be conducted through virtual mode till May 15.

CJ had directed that entry of litigants, public and clerks of the advocates into the Court premises from the outer gate shall be strictly prohibited.

Pankaj Mithal in the order had further directed that physical hearing in respect of any listed matter will be at the discretion of the bench concerned subject to the satisfaction of the bench regarding extreme urgency involved in such matter and "thereafter such case shall be taken up for physical hearing on the date fixed by the bench."

In order to decongest the sections, offices, Courts, the 

officials were directed to function in batches with 50 percent reduction on rotation basis. 

"The roster in this regard, shall be formulated by the Registrar Judicial of the concerned wing," it says, adding that the officials, who as per the roster are not on duty in the office, shall not leave the station and shall remain available on telephone and electronic means of communication at all times. 

The Registrars Judicial of both wings were directed to ensure sanitization of the entire High Court Complex on every Saturday and Sunday. 

The staff on duty and the counsel, if any permitted for physical hearing, were directed in the order to take necessary precautions, ensure physical distancing, wearing of mask and observance of SOPs and guidelines issued by the respective governments from time to time.

CJ had further issued direction to Principal District & Sessions Judges, to categorise the emergent nature of cases of their respective courts and the courts subordinate to them which shall be taken up for hearing through virtual mode. 

For smooth hearing of the cases through virtual mode, the order directs the Presiding Officer of the concerned Court to create a link and provide the same to the advocates/litigants by making it available on the website of the district court concerned or through any appropriate electronic mode.