Letter to Cj by Mohanakrishnan mhaa president
The Hon’ble Chief Justice,
Madras High Court,
Madras.
Hon’ble Chief Justice,
In this Pandemic situation of Covid-19, the Courts are being allowed to function only for Urgent matters during the Lock-down period. As the Lock-down period is going to expire on 02.05.2020 we would request your Lordship to consider the following aspects with regard to the functioning of the Courts after the Lock down period:-
In the present situation, the Courts may not be reopened after the expiry of the Lock down period as the Covid-19 situation has not been cleared till now. In view of the fact that it is highly impossible to regulate the gathering of people in the Court premises if the courts are reopened, this may be postponed till the situation gets a clear picture.
In view of the Current situation in the State with a view to contain the spread of the Virus infection, the current mode of hearing through Video-Conferencing may be continued till the end of the Covid-19 and the containment by the State and Central Governments.
In the present system of filing Applications through E-mail can be continued and acknowledgement and reply to the E-mail sent by each of the Counsels may be sent to them.
In so far as E-filing is concerned, the difficulties that would arise have to be eased out.
With regard to the Bail Applications are concerned, the Mandatory Bail Applications have to be considered by the Courts and Fundamental Rights and Personal liberties of the individuals which are available to them have to be protected even during Covid-19 situation.
Several Writ Petitions filed by persons who are detained under Act 14 of 1982 have to be listed for Hearings through Video conferencing.
I request your Lordship to consider the above while issuing Notifications with regard to the functioning of the Courts after the lock down period.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
(G.MOHANAKRISHNAN)
PRESIDENT
MADRAS HIGHCOURT ADVOCATES ASSOCIATION
