Work from home for AP HC judges
Ex-judge petitions Prez, CJI over Covid risk
● THE JUDGES are now allowed to function from their respective official residences located in Vijayawada.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Justice J.K. Maheshwari has finally dispensed with the practice of judges and staff coming to the High Court complex in the secluded capital city of Amaravati and conducting trials through video conference from there.
Instead, the judges are now allowed to function from their respective official residences located in Vijayawada.
The High Court issued a notification on Wednesday stating that only urgent matters would be taken up through video conference till July 13. The “work from home” for judges comes in the backdrop of the number of Covid patients among court staff increasing, and particularly a top level judicial official succumbing to the virus a few days ago. As the High Court complex was far away from Vijayawada, there was delay in providing emergency medical care to this senior judicial officer who died before he could reach the hospital.
Sources also said that the All India Backward Classes Federation, an organisation presided over by Justice (retd) V. Eswaraiah, former chairman of the National Commission for BCs, petitioned the President of India and SC Chief Justice against developments in the AP High Court.
Judicial officials alleged the “judges and staff were in a precarious situation” and exposed them to the virus.
The petition referred to the swearing-in of new judges on May 8 in a packed air- conditioned hall in the court filled with judges, advocates, staff and family members of the new judges. This was in contrast to the simple oath-taking ceremony in the Telangana High Court, said the petition.
After the summer vacation, which ended on June 15, judges have been coming to the court to conduct trials through video conferencing. “We fail to understand why judges should come to court to hold video conferences,” said a senior advocate.
The common practice of the judges lunching together has continued during the pandemic, which means more people gather at one point and maintaining social distancing is difficult. Sources also said that in a sympathetic gesture, the CJ and several judges went to the private hospital to pay homage to the judicial officer, thus exposing themselves and those they came in contact with to the risk.
When contacted, Hans Raj, working president of the Federation, said, “The intention was not to complain against anyone. But, institutions like courts which have to ensure that all others follow Covid guidelines should lead by example.”