Punjab and Haryana High Court extends directions on justice mechanism

Tribune News Service

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Chandigarh, September 1

Amid apprehensions of a Covid third ave, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has further extended till September 15 its directions on streamlining the justice delivery mechanism during the pandemic. It includes instructions to the police to desist from arresting the accused, unless necessary for maintenance of law and order situation in a cognisable offence prescribing sentence up to seven-year imprisonment. In all, the Bench extended the operation of nearly 10 commandments initially issued on April 28.

Pandemic norms

The directions include instructions to the police to desist from arresting the accused during the pandemic, unless necessary for maintenance of law and order situation in a cognisable offence prescribing sentence up to seven-year imprisonment.

The direction came after amicus curiae Anupam Gupta placed before the Bench certain material highlighting the prevailing situation in India and other countries due to the pandemic. The Bench observed it was germane to the issues being examined “and also if the interim arrangements/orders made by this court need to be continued”.

The Bench had previously extended the operation of interim orders, directions and protection granted by it or any other tribunal, judicial or quasi-judicial forums subordinate to it. It also included orders requiring compliance by the parties to such proceedings.

The Bench of Chief Justice Ravi Shanker Jha and Justice Arun Palli added interim orders or directions by the High Court or any subordinate court, meant to operate till further orders, would remain in force till modified, altered or vacated by a specific order.