Pune: The Pune district court proceedings which were closed due to coronavirus pandemic, will operate from June 8 in two shifts. To avoid chaos, overcrowding and congestion in courtroom amid the novel infection, the judicial staff and officials will work on 50 per cent.
In this regard, the Bombay High Court has directed all the courts across Districts of Maharashtra State to follow the guidelines.
On March 23, the usual court proceedings were ceased to operate, and only major priority issues or cases along with daily arrest in Pune were functioning.
Now, the guidelines issued by the Bombay High court mentions that court will function in two shifts from June 8.
The first shift will be functioning between 10 am to 1 pm while other shift will work from post lunchtime between 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm. Before entering the court, at the main gate, each individual will be undergoing thermal scanning. Necessary arrangements sanitisation is being made.
The restroom and washroom will be clean. The order also states the courtrooms must be sanitised and cleaned prior using. The staff who is working on a computer must not share or give the same system to another person to handle. Also, wearing a mask is mandatory, and social distancing should be maintained.
The court proceedings will function with 50 per cent judicial staff, officers and judges. Only 15 matters will be heard, and no verdict will be given in absent of parties in the courtroom.
Adv Satish Mulik, President of Pune Bar Association, said, "The government and High court has decided to commence the court proceedings. In this situation, it isn't easy to monitor the crowd coming in the courtroom. We welcome the decision, but our stand on such notification will be discussing with our elective representative of our Bar members and seniors. We will come up with effective steps soon for the safety of our lawyers and litigants."
