Covid hits judiciary, two judges positive in Haryana

Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 7

Covid appears to have hit the judiciary hard in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. Two Additional District and Sessions Judges (ADSJs), posted in Gurugram and Nuh, have tested positive for Covid. At least 500 judicial officers and their families and staff have been quarantined so far.

No less than six branches in the Punjab and Haryana High Court were ordered to be shut temporarily after a Superintendent’s husband tested positive. Another official was admitted to a hospital in Chandigarh after he complained of fever.

The judicial officers and their families and staff had to be quarantined after the accused produced in court following arrest tested positive, indicating the impracticality of permitting physical functioning at the level of the High Court and lower courts.

The High Court and district judiciary went into restricted functioning mode in March-end following the outbreak. The High Court cancelled summer vacation for itself and subordinate courts in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. The High Court is functioning at almost half its strength through video-conferencing.

The High Court and subordinate courts are primarily conducting virtual hearings. At times, circumstances warrant production of the accused in court or interaction between judicial officers and lawyers, increasing their exposure to risk.

Registrar Vigilance-cum-PRO Vikram Aggarwal said High Court functioning was being increased following representations. “As a result, more staff are required, which seems the reason for the outbreak affecting various offices of the High Court. All preventive measures are being taken,” he said.

Another officer said the court administration was in regular touch with medical and other experts, who were of the opinion that the opening of physical courts should not be allowed at the present stage following the upward spiral in the number of Covid cases after lockdown relaxations.