Court On Its Own Motion vs State & Ors

Proceedings of the matter have been conducted through video conferencing.

While taking suo motu cognizance of the extraordinary circumstances arising on account of COVID-19 pandemic, on 25.03.2020, this Court has passed certain directions. The relevant part of the order reads as under:-

"In view of the outbreak of COVID-19, the functioning of this Court is restricted only to urgent matters vide Notification No.51/RG/DHC/dated 13.03.2020.

Such restricted functioning has been in place from 16.03.2020 and has been extended till 04.04.2020.

On 24.03.2020, the Government of India has issued order No.40-3/2020-DM-1(A) whereunder strong measures have been enforced to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and a nationwide lockdown has been declared for a period of 21 days w.e.f. 25.03.2020.

In view of the lockdown in the State of Delhi and the extremely limited functioning of courts, routine matters have been adjourned en bloc to particular dates in the month of April. Thus advocates and litigants have not been in a position to appear in the said matters, including those where stay/bails/paroles have been granted by this Court or the courts subordinate to this Court, on or before 16.03.2020. As a result, interim orders operating in favour of parties have expired or will expire on or after 16.03.2020.

Taking suo moto cognizance of the aforesaid extraordinary circumstances, under Article 226 & 227 of the Constitution of India, it is hereby ordered that in all matters pending before this court and courts subordinate to this court, wherein such interim orders issued were subsisting as on 16.03.2020 and expired or will expire thereafter, the same shall stand automatically extended till 15.05.2020 or until further orders, except where any orders to the contrary have been passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in any particular matter, during the intervening period.

Needless to clarify that in case, the aforesaid extension of interim order causes any hardship of an extreme nature to a party to such proceeding, they would be at liberty to seek appropriate relief, as may be advised."

Since some of the restrictions imposed by the Government of India were still in operation, and therefore, taking note of the extraordinary circumstances prevailing at that point of time, by order dated 15th May, 2020, we had extended our directions which were given in order dated 25th March, 2020 till 15th June, 2020.

Now taking note of the prevalent situation in Delhi, Hon'ble Administrative and General Supervision Committee of this Court has been pleased to order that the regular functioning of this Court as well Courts subordinate to this Court shall continue to remain suspended till 30.06.2020.

In view of the above, we hereby further extend the implementation of the directions contained in our order dated 25th March, 2020 and 15th May, 2020 till 15th July, 2020 with the same terms and conditions.

This order be uploaded on the website of this Court today itself and be conveyed to all the Standing Counsel, UOI, GNCTD, DDA, Civic Authorities, Delhi High Court Bar Association, all the other Bar Associations of Delhi, as well as to all District Courts subordinate to this Court.

List this matter on 13th July, 2020 for further directions.