SC registers PIL based on a young girl’s letter to CJI Ramana

The Supreme Court of India has registered a PIL to consider issues surrounding the reopening of courts for physical hearings.

The PIL is based on a letter written by a young girl to CJI NV Ramana stating how schools have reopened, but courts are reluctant to resume physical hearings.

SC Judge Vineet Saran released this information during a Bar Council of India function to facilitate CJI Ramana.

Since the onset of the pandemic, courts in the country have been functioning through virtual hearing mode. Even though many courts have resumed limited physical hearing, the bulk of the cases are heard virtually

From 1st September, the Apex Court has resumed limited physical hearing through hybrid mechanisms. As per the hybrid mechanism, lawyers now have the option to either appear physically or virtually.

It cannot be said that the hybrid model has been perfect, as many lawyers still prefer to argue cases virtually.

In another matter pending in the Apex Court, it is stated that the right to appear virtually is a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution.