Maharashtra: Subordinate courts in city to work in 2 shifts, with 15% staff

MUMBAI: With the partial easing of lockdown , from June 8 subordinate courts in the state will function in two sessions with 15% staff in each, in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and eight other municipal regions. Everywhere else, staff strength will be 50% in each shift. Subordinate courts include city civil and sessions courts, metropolitan magistrates’ courts, family courts, and district courts.

In addition to bail pleas filed pre-lockdown and anticipatory bails, courts will also hear matters fixed for judgement, appeals and final hearings where witness presence is not essential.

The Bombay high court, in a new standard operating procedure, prescribes precautionary measures—hygiene practices and social distancing norms to be adopted while entering and once inside. Courts have also been directed to ensure maximum use of the video conferencing facility. “The hearing of final arguments shall be preferably done via video conferencing and/or by accepting the written notes of arguments,” it said.

The SOP placed subordinate courts into set A and B. Set A covers all courts in Mumbai, Thane Navi Mumbai, Pune, Solapur, Aurangabad, Nashik, Malegao, Dhule, Jalgaon, Akola , Amravati and Nagpur. Set B covers all other subordinate courts in Maharashtra, Goa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu .

Set A, with 15% staff, will continue to function as per earlier circulars for urgent hearings. Shift timings will be 10am-1pm and 2.30pm-5.30pm. Principle Judges may change the timings, but not the duration. Courts in Set B will have 50% staff in each shift.