SC Requests Updates on Virtual Hearings from All High Courts
The Supreme Court asked all of the high courts and a few tribunals on Friday whether they had discontinued the hybrid way of hearing cases, which allowed attorneys and plaintiffs to participate in a case through video conference as well.
The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), and National Green Tribunal (NGT) registrars were given notice to file an affidavit by a bench consisting of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Mishra.
The court ordered that the registrars “file an affidavit on whether video-conferencing or hybrid hearings are being continued or disbanded.”
It also requested information from the finance ministry and other ministries on the progress of hybrid hearings before the Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal, debt recovery tribunals, and other similar quasi-judicial entities from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.
The petitioner Sarvesh Mathur, who attended in person, complained that the Punjab and Haryana High Court had ceased holding virtual hearings, which was inconveniencing the parties. The supreme court took notice of his arguments.
“We appreciate you alerting us to this. We shall take action for the cause that has been on our minds for a while. The high courts that have halted virtual hearings will be questioned. A very significant problem has been brought to the court’s attention by you. The bench informed the petitioner, “We are looking for a response from all the high courts and various tribunals to see what the situation is.
The court will subsequently take into account further matters pertaining to an expedited hearing of the petitioner’s case, which is now being heard by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The statement said, “We may offer directions for an expedited hearing by the high court at any moment, but if we pass the direction now, then we will have to decide the petition and the other problem with virtual hearings won’t be resolved.
