Nod to open courts in 10 districts, Pondy

Chennai

MHC, Registrar General, C Kumarappan, in a notification, said during the discussion via video conferencing the principal district judges of Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Thanjavur, Thoothukudi, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore and Villupuram, and the Chief judge of Puducherry expressed confidence that not only the taluk courts but also the principal headquarters can be opened for physical hearings in the pattern allowed in 19 other districts in Tamil Nadu.

However, five taluks — Arakkonam, Srirangam, Valliyur, Alangulam and Melur — are not permitted for physical hearing due to the peculiar situation prevailing there, it said.

It further noted that on a trial basis, the physical court hearing at the headquarters of these districts including Puducherry is also permitted in a limited manner with final hearing and interlocutory applications being permitted in a staggered manner by avoiding any congregation of lawyers in courts and maintaining social distancing norms as well as taking hygiene precautions that are required.

It said the Principal District Judges and the Chief Judge of Puducherry will coordinate with district Bar associations and make provisions for physical filing through dropbox to avoid the physical presence of either lawyers or their clerks. The restrictions with regard to litigants shall, however, continue.