NO.27/RG/DHC/2020 HIGH COURT OF DELHI ADVISORY TO DELHI DISTRICT COURTS In view of the outbreak of Coronavirus (2019-nCOV), Hon'ble the Chief Justice and Hon'ble Judges of this Court have been pleased to issue the following instructions to the Delhi .District Courts:- . 1. Courts should not insist on the presence of the parties unless it is unavoidable. All the District & Sessions Judges and Principal Judges, Family Courts would take appropriate measures to regulate entry of the litigants and the general public in the Court Complex to avoid crowding. Thermal Scanner (non-touch) may be procured at the earliest, handlers be trained and they be put to use at the .existing check points. 2. The lawyers may advice their clients not to visit the court unless their presence is directed by the Court. 3. Till the present situation persists, no adverse/default orders be passed in matters where parties are found to be absent. 4. Parties/Advocates/witnesses seeking an adjournment be accommodated. 5. In criminal matters, the request for exemption from personal appearance of the accused, be considered favourably. 6. In civil matters,' wherever possible, servIce of Local Commissioner be availed of for the purposes of recording of evidence, after obtaining the consent of both the parties. 7. The facility of video conferencing be put to optimum use for the purposes of recording of evidence. 8. Instead of physical production of undertrial prisoners (UTPs) from jails, facility of video conferencing. be availed of. 9. . Unnecessary crowding in the Lock. up be curtailed and appropriate steps in this regard be taken by all the District and Sessions Judges in consultation with the prison authorities. 10. In final argu.ment matters, as far as possible, written submissions be called upon to be submitted in court and the time for oral arguments be reduced to the extent possible. 11. The District & Sessions Judge Incharge of the Court Complex shall ensure that medical dispensaries in the court complex are well equipped to tackle.the present emergent situation. 12. It be ensured by all the District & Sessions Judges that sanitizers are available in their respective districts, for the visitors as well as the staff, particularly those manning windows where there is constant public dealing. Housekeeping .agency/staff be asked to J ensure that highest level of hygiene is maintained in the court . complex and disinfectants are sprayed on a regular basis. 13. A dedicated team (comprising of Senior Judicial Officers, Administrative Civil Judge and Senior Ministerial Staff) be constituted in each District Court Complex for taking stock of the situation on a day-to-day basis and to take appropriate remedial steps. 14. All the possible preventive and remedial measures be taken to combat the impending threat of COVID-19. 15. The President and General Secretary of the respective District Court Bar Association may issue necessary directions in order to ensure that there is no crowdirig in the Court complex including the lawyers, chambers. Bar would also ensure that interns are not permitted in the Court complex till the present situation persists. 16. No function/election or any other event be permitted to be - held/conducted till further orders. ( 17. , The Judge Incharge, Mediation Centre of all the District Court Complex would also ensure that mediation proceedings are held only in cases that are of urgent nature. Sd/- (MANOJ JAIN) REGISTRAR GENERAL Endst. No.28-50/RG/DHC Dated, the 13 th March, 2020 Copy forwarded for information and necessary action to: - 1. 2. , 3. All the District & Sessions Judges, Delhi. , The District & Sessions Judge cum Special Judge (PC Act) (CBI), Rouse Avenue Courts Complex, New Delhi. The Principal Judge, Family Courts (HQ), Dwarka Courts Complex, Dwarka, New ,Delhi also with the request to circulate a copy of the Advisory to all the Principal Judges, Family Courts. 4'. The Member Secretary, Delhi Legal Services Authority, Patiala House, New Delhi. 5. The Director (Administration), Delhi Judicial Academy, Dwarka, New Delhi. 6. The Director of Prosecution, CBI, Block No.3, II Floor, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, N.Delhi-3. 7. The Director, Directorate of Prosecution, Tis Hazari, Delhi. 8. The Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau, West BI9Ck, 1 Wing-5, Sector-07, R.K.Puram, N. Delhi-ll0066., 9. The Commissioner of Police, Police Headquarters, New Delhi. 10. The Organizing Secretary, Delhi High Court Mediation & Con,ciliation Center. 11. The Coordinator, Delhi International Arbitration Center, Delhi High Court. 12. The Secretary, Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee, New Delhi. 13. The Superint~ndent Jail, Tihar/Rohini/Mandoli. 14. The Joint Registrar-cum-Secretary to Hon'ble the Chief Justice, Delhi High Court, New Delhi. . . 15. PS to all Hon'ble Judges, Delhi High Court, for information to Hon'ble Judges. 16. Joint Registrar (Computer), DHC, with request to display this order on website of .Delhi High Court. 17. The Hony. Secretary, Delhi High Court Bar Association, Delhi High Court, New Delhi. 18. The Hony. Secretary, Delhi Bar Association, Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi. 19. The Hony. Secretary, New Delhi Bar Association, Patiala House, New Delhi. 20. The Hony. Secretary, Shahdara Bar Association, Karkardooma Courts, Delhi. 21. The Hony. Secretary, Rohini Courts Bar Association, Rohini, New Delhi. 22. The Hony. Secretary, Dwarka Courts Bar Association, Dwarka, New Delhi. 23. The Hony. Secretary, Saket Courts Bar Association, Saket~ . (DEPUTY REGISTRAR)