The Orissa High Court on Friday launched a new time schedule specifying the working duration of subordinate courts under different zones.
The revision in the timings of function of lower courts comes in the wake of further extension of partial Covid lockdown in the State till July 16.
As per a letter issued by the Registrar General of the Orissa High Court, the district and subordinate courts/tribunals are to function only in the first half from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm on all working days. Such courts have been directed to take up all matters for hearing except recording of evidence.
The HC has categorically explained that the hearing may be taken up on virtual mode as far as practicable, except in cases where the accused is produced at the first instance.
All the staff who have been fully vaccinated are to mandatorily attend the office. As far as other staff are concerned, their deployment shall in no case exceed 50 per cent of their strength. The staff on roster, however, shall remain in readiness to attend duty on call as and when required.
The HC has instructed the district judges to request the members of the Bar Associations to extend their fullest cooperation in the implementation of these measures.