This story is from July 14, 2020

Delhi high court extends all interim orders till August 31

Indicating that courts may continue to function in virtual mode for the time being, Delhi high court on Monday extended till August 31 all interim orders, including bails granted to accused in various cases. These orders were set to expire on or after July 15 and included cases pending before the high court and district courts in the city.
Delhi high court extends all interim orders till August 31
Delhi high court (PTI photo)
NEW DELHI: Indicating that courts may continue to function in virtual mode for the time being, Delhi high court on Monday extended till August 31 all interim orders, including bails granted to accused in various cases. These orders were set to expire on or after July 15 and included cases pending before the high court and district courts in the city.
To ensure the safety of litigants, lawyers and undertrial prisoners during the Covid-19 pandemic, a special bench headed by Chief Justice DN Patel said it was extending the interim orders, as prisons remain overcrowded and if any prisoner returned to jail from outside, there would be a high risk that he might bring the infection with him and it could spread among other inmates.

The bench, also comprising justices Siddharth Mridul and Talwant Singh, noted: “These are unusual times calling for unusual measures. It is an unprecedented situation,” adding that orders were being extended “to protect everyone.”
State government standing counsel Rahul Mehra said initially the court had extended all interim orders till May 15 and thereafter, they were extended to June 15 and July 15, as people were not able to approach courts due to the pandemic.
“However, people are now approaching courts, including the high court, in a wide variety of matters and the matters are being listed and heard without much delay. Therefore, bail matters be decided on their individual merits,” Mehra said.
The bench, however, said it was extending the interim bails as it did not want asymptomatic prisoners to return to jail and spread the infection.
Chief Justice said in view of the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic, the court was extending its directions passed on March 25, May 15 and June 15 till August 31 on the same terms and conditions and listed the matter for August 24.
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