Photo: AT
Guwahati, Jan 6: The Gauhati High Court started functioning through the virtual mode with a staggered roster from Thursday in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases in Assam, an official order said.
Entry to the court premise was restricted only to the essential persons who are fully vaccinated, it added.
The order, issued by the Registrar General of the Court on instructions of the Chief Justice, said, "The courts shall function in virtual mode with staggered roster, so as to avoid footfalls and to maintain social distancing."
A limited number of cases will be listed and advocates and parties-in-person may mention their matters showing the urgency before the court, it said.
The court, only on being satisfied that the matter is of urgent nature, shall hear it, it added.
The decision was taken due to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in Assam, it said.
Only the advocates and parties-in-person, whose names appear in the cause list, will be allowed to enter the premises of the high court and any other individual whose presence is required can enter after obtaining prior permission of the registrar, the order issued on Wednesday said.
The restrictions will remain in force until further notice, it said.
The high court functioned through the virtual mode with similar restrictions during the first two waves of the pandemic.
