By Diksha-
Advocate Rajiv Khosla, Chairman of the IT Cell of the Bar Council of Delhi wrote a letter to the Chief Justice of the Delhi HC on 18 October, 2020 requesting him to start a hybrid system of hearings in virtual courts and allowing one junior lawyer to accompany the main counsel.
The letter was intended to draw the attention of the High Court towards the sufferance of the litigants as well as the lawyers who have been waiting since so long for the Courts to resume their physical functioning.
Despite the fact that Unlock 5.0 guidelines have been issued, and most of the sectors have reopened, no regulations have been framed to resume the Courts; and virtual hearings are not a permanent solution.
While the Courts are conducting virtual hearings during this pandemic and there is no assurance as to when a vaccine shall be available, the Supreme Court did not impede the conducting of competitive exams or the conduct of Bihar polls. This is a clear indictation that life must go on.
The letter went on to point that although everything had stopped for a while, the Courts devised a way to function through video conferencing; but even this is good for a short span only. Some people are misusing this for getting favorable orders.
The letter said, “…the need of the hour is to request your lordships to hold Courts from their respective courtrooms and pass orders after hearing counter-arguments of both the parties by V/V and P/H at the same time as per the choice and convenience of the lawyers of both side so that there may not be any reason for either side to take adjournment. In fact, the Hybrid system is the best way to resume work and passing effective orders in case of non-appearance of the lawyers is without any cogent reason.”
Regarding the expenditure, the letter said that a total expenditure of Rs.10-12 Crores shall be sufficient to install the required equipment in all the Court complexes including the High Court.
It further said that this system may be helpful for lady lawyers or old-age and infirm people who cannot be physically present in the Court.
Considering the plight of young lawyers who were suffering financially during this pandemic, it has been requested to allow them to accompany the Main Counsel just like Briefing Counsel are allowed with the Senior Designated Counsel.