Responding to a deepening energy crisis triggered by the West Asia conflict, the Supreme Court on Friday ordered mandatory virtual hearings on Mondays and Fridays in June and July, while also permitting up to 50% of its registry staff to work from home for two days a week.
The judges of the top court have also decided to carpool to reduce fuel consumption.
The move, directed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant following a full court meeting on Friday morning, comes against the backdrop of a sharp rise in global crude oil prices and India’s growing energy concerns.
A circular issued by Supreme Court secretary general Bharat Parashar on Friday said that all matters listed on “miscellaneous days”—Mondays, Fridays or such other days declared as miscellaneous days—as well as matters listed during the court’s partial working days, “shall be heard by video-conferencing only.”
The circular said that the registry had been directed to ensure stable video-conferencing facilities and timely technical assistance “so as to avoid any inconvenience to the Hon’ble Court.”
