Supreme Court (File pic)  |  Photo Credit: PTI
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has decided to shift to the virtual system of hearings for two weeks starting from January 3, in view of the rising COVID-19 cases and concern over the Omicron variant of coronavirus.
The top court had resumed the physical hearing of cases from October last year. The top court had been hearing cases through video conferences since March 2020 in wake of the pandemic.
In a statement issued on Sunday evening, the Supreme Court administration stated that an earlier circular prescribing standard operating procedure (SOP) for physical hearing (hybrid hearing) will remain suspended for the time being.
“It is hereby notified for the information of the members of the bar, party-in-person and all concerned that keeping in view the rising number of cases of Omicron variant (COVID-19), the competent authority has been pleased to direct that modified standard operating procedure (SOP) notified on 07.10.2021 for physical hearing (with hybrid option) before hon’ble courts will remain suspended for the present,” the apex court said.
“All hearings before the hon’ble courts for a period of two weeks from and with effect from 03.01.2022 shall be through virtual mode only,” it added.
The top court is reopening on Monday after its winter vacation.
On October 7, 2021, the SC had issued an SOP saying matters that require lengthy hearings will be taken up on Wednesdays and Thursdays for physical hearing.
Hearing of cases was done through virtual mode on miscellaneous days like Mondays and Fridays only, and on Tuesdays, it was through a hybrid mode
The rising cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus, which is more transmissible than the Delta strain, have triggered an alarm across the country.
So far, 1,525 cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus have been detected across 23 states and Union Territories, out of which 560 have recovered or migrated, according to the Union Health Ministry’s data updated on Sunday morning.