The Supreme Court in the case observed wherein the plea was moved challenging the decision taken by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in order to completely prohibit access to hybrid hearings following the resumption of physical hearings. The Supreme Court in the case granted petitioners the liberty to move to the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court to address the grievance on an administrative side.
The bench comprising of CJI DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala was hearing the present matter.
The bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud in the matter orally remarked that the said matter needs to be heard by the Punjab and Haryana High Court and not by the Supreme Court.
The counsel, AOR Ruchi Gupta appearing for the petitioner before the court stated that nothing can be done by the High Court so far and it has only been directed by the High Court directed that they will be taking cases physically, any request for any virtual hearing has also been stopped.
The bench in its order dictated while taking note of the grievance raised by the petitioner that the grievance of the petitioners being that the High Court of the Punjab and Haryana has completely prohibited access to hybrid hearings following the resumption of physical hearings on March 28, 2022. The said court is of the considered view that the Chief Justice of High Court of Punjab and Haryana High Court on the administrative side can suitably address the grievance of the petitioners, particularly with regards to the investment of public funds which have been made as a part of the e-courts project.
It has also been permitted by the said court in the case that the petitioners to move a representation on that behalf to the Chief Justice of High Court of Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Further, the bench in the case observed and has stated that there been a deployment of public funds for setting up the infrastructure of ICT under the e-courts project and the High Court in the case may take of the appropriate call with the said regard.
