New Delhi: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued directions for restricted functioning of several lower courts “in order to ensure the safety of general public, advocates, litigants, staff and judicial officers” amid tensions with Pakistan.
The order, issued on Thursday, said that the courts in headquarters Amritsar and the sub-divisional courts in the border town of Ajnala will be closed temporarily for public entry to restrict footfall from 9 to 14 May.
“The entry of general public, lawyers, ministerial staff, judicial officers and all other concerned be restricted to bare minimum during the said period,” it said.
The order with the subject ‘Restricted functioning of District Courts’ was issued by the Registrar General of Punjab and Haryana High Court, on directions by the Chief Justice of the high court.
The directive comes amid heightened tensions at the India-Pakistan border.
Pakistan armed forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along India’s “entire western border” on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, according to a statement by the Indian Army.
According the defence ministry, military stations at Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur were targeted by the Pakistani-origin drones and missiles along the border in J&K.
The threats were “swiftly neutralised using kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities”, and no casualties or material losses were reported, the ministry added.
Restricted functioning
The courts at Amritsar and Ajnala will, however, run in a restricted manner, the order further said, adding that in order to “accommodate advocates and litigants in prevailing situations and to serve the interest of justice”, it has granted permission for filing of urgent cases like bail applications only during the four days.
These urgent cases will be heard through video conferencing on secured softwares including Vidyo and Webex. However, in case of technical failure of any of these platforms, the hearing could even be conducted through WhatsApp, Zoom and Google duo video calling.
“Production of accused from police/judicial custody before the court be permitted only through video conferencing mode during the said period,” it added.
The order has also exempted daily attendance of 100 percent staff members attached to these courts, and said that only 50 percent of the staff of these courts shall attend duty on rotation basis.
(Edited by Sanya Mathur)
Also Read: US Republican leader Nikki Haley backs Op Sindoor, says ‘Pakistan does not get to play the victim’