Access to lower courts in Jammu restricted in view of surging infections

A lawyer said that on Saturday, an order was issued by the principal district and sessions judge which stated that only litigants and witnesses will be allowed on the court premises.

As a precautionary measure in view of the surge in Covid 19 cases, access to lower courts in Jammu have been restricted to accused and witnesses only. A lawyer said that an order was issued by the principal district and sessions judge on Saturday.

Jammu and Kashmir recorded 140 new Covid-19 infections on March 20, 2021, taking the UT’s case tally to 1, 28,389. (HT FILE)

“Only litigants and witnesses will be allowed access to lower courts because of a surge in Covid 19 cases. We appreciate the order issued by the principal district and session court,” he added.

There are 800 to 1, 000 lawyers who work in the lower court. “Under this order only litigants like accused and witnesses will be allowed,” he added.

Another advocate said that given the existing circumstances, the traffic police should be allowed to impose and charge penalties from the violators on the spot and avoid sending the violators to the courts. “Courts also impose and charge penalties on the violators and hence this practice should be done away with till the situation normalised,” he added.