Srinagar: The J&K High Court, district courts, and subordinate courts have all stalled their functioning till April 14 on account of the 21-day national lockdown.
A circular issued by the Registrar General of the Jammu wing of the High Court, Sanjay Dhar, mentions that keeping in view the declaration of lockdown of 21 days, Chief Justice Gita Mittal has directed that access to all court complexes in the union territories of JK and Ladakh, including the High Court complexes at Srinagar and Jammu cities, would remain closed during the period of lockdown.
The circular mentions that judicial officers and the staff of the Registry and of district courts shall remain available at all times in view of any emergent urgency. For dealing with any exceptionally urgent matter, the concerned registrar judicial shall seek necessary orders from the Chief Justice to hear the matter through video-conferencing, the circular said.
The order also directs the Principal District and Sessions Judges to make arrangements for hearing of any exceptionally urgent Civil and Criminal matters through video-conferencing from the residences of the Judicial Officers, who would be designated by the District and Sessions Judge for the purpose.
It also directs the judicial officers to follow the instructions of Central Government and Jammu and Kashmir Government regarding social distancing, restrictions, precautions, quarantine, isolation, etc.
The circular further mentions that in case any court staff needs assistance or is in distress, they can seek help from Registrar (Protocol) at Jammu and at Srinagar.

NUSRAT SIDIQ