The government on Saturday (May 9) issued an ordinance for holding virtual court proceedings, two days after getting approval from the cabinet, allowing courts to hold trials digitally.
The cabinet on May 7 approved the ordinance to resume regular court activities amid the general holidays declared to stop transmission of coronavirus (Covid-19) in the country.
The ordinance will allow usage of information and communication technology (ICT) to ensure virtual attendance of the concerned parties in courts for holding trial, inquiry, hearing on appeals, recording testimonies, arguments and passing judgment.
The ordinance mentions that since there is no parliamentary session, and it appears to the President satisfactorily that the necessary conditions for immediate action exist. Therefore, the President enacted and issued the ordinance with the power conferred by Article 93 (1) of the Constitution.
“Ordinance for Usage of Information and Communication Technology by Court, 2020,” will come into effect immediately.
The Supreme Court on May 5 extended the ongoing general holidays at all the courts across the country till May 16 to prevent the transmission of deadly coronavirus.
An apex court circular issued on that day urged all the employees of the courts across the country, not to leave their work stations during the holidays.