Mujeeb Ur Rehman v. High Court of Delhi

1. This Public Interest Litigation has been preferred with the following prayers:- “1. Issue appropriate writ in the nature of mandamus or of any other nature as necessary directing thereby to the respondent to take sufficient steps to ensure the continuation of virtual court proceedings through video conferencing along with the physical one in the High Court of Delhi and vis-à-vis courts and tribunals over which this court has jurisdiction.

2. Pass an order directing the respondent to formulate 2021:DHC:1245-DB sufficient guidelines and to ensure sufficient infrastructure for continuation and adoption of virtual court proceedings along with the physical one in the High Court of Delhi and vis-à-vis courts and tribunals over which this court has jurisdiction as a free choice for the counsels, litigants and parties unless in view of such court it's really necessary to be physically present even if COVID-19 pandemic is absolutely over as a regular course of practice and should be given equal weightage as to the physical one without barring from adverse order.

3. Pass any other or further order(s) which this Hon'ble Court deem fit and proper.”

2. Having heard the petitioner who appears in person and looking to the facts and circumstances of the case, Delhi High Court as well as Trial Courts are already hearing cases physically as well as through virtually. It all depends upon preference of the Advocate concerned who wants to appear physically in court or virtually through video conferencing for further hearing of the matters.

3. Thus, at this stage, we see no reason to entertain the present writ petition and the same is disposed of.

CHIEF JUSTICE JASMEET SINGH, J APRIL 7, 2021 kks