The Supreme Court on Tuesday noted the dissatisfactory functioning of its own virtual court system while appreciating the Delhi High Court next door for its smooth functioning.

”We at the inception must note our exasperation at the inability of the virtual court system to work satisfactorily in the Supreme Court while there is no such problems in the Delhi High Court next door!”

The bench comprising Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Justice Dinesh Justice Maheshwari and Justice Hrishikesh Roy were hearing a criminal bail petition when the bench experienced technical difficulties.

The bench stated that the even when there was a single person arguing, there was a resonance of voices and it was difficult to understand why the same was taking place.

The order also stated that disruptions in the virtual court hearings were experienced on Monday as well, when the Supreme Court reopened after its winter break.

“We thus direct the Secretary General to look into this issue as it is becoming very difficult to continue with proceedings in the virtual courts in an appropriate manner,”

directed the Apex Court.

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The virtual court system was introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. The system has helped the top court not lose even a single day’s work during the past 8 months of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Supreme Court of India will continue its Virtual Court hearing system when Court opens from July 6. It has issued circular in supersession of earlier circulars and further elaborating Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for e-filing, mentioning, listing and hearing of matters through video conferencing/teleconferencing mode.

“In order to contain the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), considering the prevailing situation, and taking into account the suggestions received from various quarters and the guidelines issued by the Government of India and Government of NCT of Delhi from time to time, Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India has been pleased to direct the constitution of the Hon’ble Bench(es) for hearing of matters through Virtual Courts w.e.f. 06.07.2020,” said the circular.

The Court has also issued a proposed sitting of benches from July 6, will sit in two sets & hear only miscellaneous matters till July 10. The first bench in Set one will be comprising of the Chief Justice S.A. Bobde, Justice Aniruddha Bose & Justice A.S. Bopanna. (Sitting Arrangement of Benches Given Below)

LISTING OF MATTERS

Categories of matters to be taken up for hearing 

• The fresh matters lying in the pool which could not be listed earlier, may be listed before the Hon’ble Virtual Court in the week commencing 06.07.2020 i.e. from 06.07.2020 to 10.07.2020. 
• With effect from 13.07.2020, subject to availability of matters and also the requirement, the miscellaneous cases may be listed on Monday and Friday. Further subject to directions of the competent authority, after notice matters may also be listed along with fresh matters, giving preference to part heard matters. 
• On non-miscellaneous days i.e. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, miscellaneous matters including final hearing matters and regular matters may be listed, giving preference to part heard matters. (Full Circular Attached)

Read the Circular Here;

-India Legal Bureau