Orissa High Court Shuts Down For 5 Days After Rise In Covid Cases

The Orissa High Court on Wednesday announced to shut down its operations for five days till January 17 in view of the surge in cases of COVID among court staff.

“It is hereby notified for general information that in view of the unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases in the State and due to increase in the COVID-19 positive cases amongst the staff of the High Court, the High Court and its offices shall be completely shutdown from 13th January, 2022 to 17th January, 2022, both dates inclusive,” the HC said in an order.

The offices of the High Court shall resume functioning on January 18, 2022. Accordingly, the Benches earlier notified for January 13, 2022 and January 17, 2022 shall stand cancelled, the order stated.

The Court has said that during the period from January 18, 2022 to February 4, 2022, it will function with two Division Benches and seven Single Benches to take up only the exceptionally urgent cases.

The cases adjourned to specific dates during the period from January 18, 2022 to February 4, 2022 shall be listed from February 7, 2022 onwards.

Mentioning of routine matters may be avoided during the said period, the order added.

The Full Court Reference earlier scheduled to be held on January 13, 2022 shall be held on January 18, 2022 at 2.00 pm in virtual mode, the court said in its directive.

The High Court has requested all to cooperate with the arrangements made with a view to containing the spread of COVID-19 and follow the SOP issued in this regard.