Act like soldiers to fight COVID-19, Karnataka CJ tells legal fraternity
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The devastating second wave of COVID-19 has taken the lives of 190 advocates and 16 employees members of assorted courts within the State inside 48 days, mentioned Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka, Chief Justice of the High Court of Karnataka, on Sunday.
As many as 50 judges of the district and taluk-level courts, and 616 employees of assorted courts, together with the High Court, had been contaminated throughout this era from April 1 to May 18, 2021, he mentioned whereas addressing advocates of the State in a webinar. titled ‘Challenges before the legal fraternity during COVID-19 times’ organised by the Advocates’ Association, Bengaluru.
The roles of judges, attorneys, and employees of the courts are as essential like docs, nurses, and different frontline staff as members of the legal fraternity are required to render justice for individuals ready in queue even throughout these tough occasions, he mentioned, whereas emphasising the necessity to maintain courts functioning, so far as potential, in the course of the pandemic.
Pointing out that judiciary is dealing with extra difficulties than the challenges posed throughout first wave final yr, Chief Justice Oka mentioned that difficulties confronted final yr was primarily due to lockdown norms however this time it’s due to large surge in COVID-19 optimistic case as Karnataka now has highest variety of COVID-19 lively instances in all the nation.
He mentioned that the legal fraternity could have to act like soldiers to fight battle with unseen virus by adopting methods like sporting of double masks (ideally one surgical and one N95), utilising digital amenities to file instances, pay courtroom charges, get licensed copies of orders, and arguing via video convention mode, to guarantee functioning of justice supply system.
Though preserving courts at minimal functioning was the best choice throughout pandemic, the Chief Justice mentioned that it is probably not the right step as it could deny entry to justice to varied susceptible sections of the society.
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