requests for resumption of physical hearing in courts are growing louder. —Co-chairman and member of BCNTP B Ashok told

MADURAI: It has been more than a year-and-a-half since the Madras High Court shifted to virtual hearings due to the Covid-19 lockdown. Now that the State is gradually returning to normalcy, requests for resumption of physical hearing in courts are growing louder.

The Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry (BCTNP), in a meeting on October 8, passed a resolution urging the reopening of the Madras High Court and the Madurai Bench. A similar resolution was passed by the All India Lawyers Union (AILU) in its meeting in Tiruchy last week.

Co-chairman and member of BCNTP B Ashok told TNIE, “Virtual hearings may have helped in disposal of cases during the lockdown but its continuance is against the justice delivery system.” Advocates hail from different regions and backgrounds and not all have good internet connectivity, he said.

Pointing out that a majority of advocates and court staff have received Covid-19 vaccinations, he said physical hearings should be resumed with safety precautions. State Secretary of AILU, advocate L Shaji Chellan too supported reopening of courts as many young advocates are struggling to make ends meet. “When government counsels are present in the open court and get adjournment in some cases, it is difficult for the petitioner counsels to effectively oppose the same through virtual mode. This affects the litigants when there is urgency in the matter. Also, lengthy arguments are not possible in online hearings,” he said.