Bhubaneswar: As the COVID-19 situation is becoming a cause of concern for the State, the Orissa High Court on Friday issued orders for functioning of all Benches only through Video Conferencing from January 10 to February 4.
As per an order issued by the Orissa HC, the offices of the High Court shall function with 50% strength of employees (except Officers in the rank of Assistant Registrar and above who shall attend office daily), during the aforementioned period.
“The roster for 50% attendance of employees shall be prepared by the Superintendents in such a manner that the employees are required to attend office on alternate days and they shall not leave the headquarters during the above period. While attending office the employees must carry their Identity Cards.”
Except the Officers and staff of the Court, there shall be restrictions for others over entry into the High Court campus. However, in a case where there is specific direction of any Bench for removal of defects, the Advocate concerned may come to the High Court for the limited purpose of removal of defects with prior intimation to Deputy Registrar (Judicial), the order stated.
Cases shall be listed during this period, with the defects pointed out by the Stamp Reporting Section. Filing of cases and documents shall be done through e-Filing portal as usual or through Drop Box (kept near the counters of the Copying Section) from 10.30 A.M. to 2.00 P.M.
“Usual practice of grant of certified copies shall remain suspended and a print out of the Order and Judgment passed by the High Court as available in the Court’s website may be utilized in lieu of a certified copy thereof, subject to it being attested by the Advocate concerned. Where no Advocate has been engaged, such copy shall be self-attested by the party-in-person.”
“In addition to the existing two V.C. Cabins one more V.C. Cabin shall be functional in Odisha State Bar Council premises to facilitate appearance of the counsel through Video Conferencing. All concerned are requested to cooperate with the said arrangements made with a view to containing the increase of COVID-19 positive cases and Omicron cases,” the order added.
