Kanpur court likely to open from May 26

Kanpur: The Allahabad high court has directed district courts to open from May 22, 2020 if they are not in containment zone, but Kanpur court is not going to open before May 25, 2020.

In fact, the court may open after May 26 when the district magistrate gives certificate to the district judge that Kanpur court is not in containment zone, said Ashok Kumar Singh (IIIrd) district judge Kanpur nagar.

Talking to TOI, the district judge said, “Since Kanpur court is in containment zone, it would not open on May 22 as directed by the Registrar of Allahabad high court.”Since May 23 is fourth Satu rday of month courts remain closed, May 24 is Sunday and Eid festival is likely on May 25, the district judge added.

“The district magistrate has to issue a certificate declaring Kanpur court is not in containment zone. Then I will get court premises sanitized. The court would open thereafter,” he said.

As per directions, only parent session court, courts of special ADJs dealing with special jurisdiction and chief metropolitan magistrate would open, he added.

Registrar, Allahabad high court, had on Wednesday issued guidelines to all district judges to open their court. Besides, there were special instructions for districts in red zone where judicial officers will take up regular bail, anticipatory bail and deliver pending orders if arguments have already completed, through video conferencing. Only those advocates whose case is listed would be permitted to enter court premises. Litigants will not be allowed in premises.

The judicial officials would hold proceedings through video conferencing from his chamber by using laptop while advocates would plead from the virtual court room.

The judges have been instructed to ensure minimum entry of staff, which shall not be more than 10%, in court premises.