Supreme Court suspends physical hearings in view of spurt in COVID-19 cases

The Supreme Court has returned to virtual hearings for the next 2 weeks amid increasing COVID-19 cases.

The court had started physical hearings after over a year in October 2021, when the second wave of the ongoing pandemic had subsided.

Before Supreme Court decided to switch to virtual hearings, many authorities and states had imposed restrictions in their jurisdiction due to Covid-19.

A circular issued by the court read, ''It is hereby notified for the information of the members of the bar, party-in-person and all concerned that keeping in view the rising number of cases of Omicron variant (COVID-19), the competent authority has been pleased to direct that modified Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) notified on October 7, 2021, for physical hearing (hybrid mode) will remain suspended for the present, and all hearings before the courts for a period of two weeks from and with effect from January 3, shall be through virtual mode only.”

According to the latest data by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India logged 33,750 fresh Covid cases and 123 deaths in the last 24 hours. India’s active caseload is presently at 14,5,582.

Meanwhile, India's Omicron tally is at 1,700, of which 639 have recovered or been discharged.