Preeti Ahluwalia

In the wake of Covid-19, all courts have remained shut for nearly five months and have been holding hearings through video conferencing. Although lockdown restrictions were eased from June onwards, courts have continued to hold only virtual hearings.

The RBI recently informed the apex court that a waiver on loan interest would jeopardise the banking sector. But two cases have shown that banks are biased towards the rich while the common man is left in the lurch

The novel coronavirus has had a significant impact on the legal fraternity in India. Following the imposition of the 21-day lockdown in March, the key consideration was how to make the judicial system more effective during this time and ensure timely delivery of justice.

Indian courts, like their sister institutions in countries governed by the rule of law and modern jurisprudence, have been adapting by resorting to virtual trials and hearings, digitisation of rosters, cause lists and case files and video-conferencing.

Covid-19 has had an unparalleled impact on everyday life, globally. Governments have issued instructions to self-isolate, entire industries and countries are in lockdown and new information is disseminated on a daily basis