Courts to remain suspended till 26 May except essential & urgent matters: Gauhati High Court

May 02: In the backdrop of the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic and subsequent nationwide lockdown, the court functioning of the Gauhati High Court in the Principal Seat at Guwahati as well in the outlying Benches and also the subordinate courts in the States of Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh were regulated till 3 May, 2020. However, in a fresh notification issued by the Gauhati High Court on 2 May, it was stated that the court functioning will be further regulated till 26 May, 2020, except for essential and urgent matters like injunction and bail.

The notification number 23 issued by Gauhati High Court on 2 May stated, “Considering the prevailing circumstances and after taking inputs from the Health Department, Government of Assam and senior doctors, and in order to ensure strict adherence of the norms for social distancing in the Court premises, amongst Hon’ble Judges, learned Advocates, litigants, staff of the High Court as well as Subordinate Courts and all stakeholders of the judicial system in all the four Benches at Guwahati, Kohima, Aizawl and Itanagar falling within the jurisdiction of the Gauhati High Court, Hon’ble the Chief Justice has been pleased to extend the directions issued vide Notification No. 18 dated 24′ March, 2020 and Notification dated 15th April, 2020; and directions issued vide Order No.19 dated 24th March, 2020 till 26th May, 2020.”

It was also stated that, “Senior amongst the two Hon’ble Judges stationed in the Outlying Bench in Nagaland, Mizoram or Arunachal Pradesh, considering the peculiar circumstances prevailing in those States, may take decisions/pass orders to regulate the working of the Courts, including the Subordinate Courts in the said respective states, with the approval of the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court, however the norm of Social distancing shall be strictly maintained.”

Click here to read the Notification