Six Supreme Court judges down with H1N1 virus

NEW DELHI: Six judges of the Supreme Court (SC) are suffering from swine flu, following which they did not attend court, an apex court judge said on Tuesday.

Justice DY Chandrachud, while conducting the court proceedings, announced that all apex court judges held a meeting with Chief Justice of India, SA Bobde, over the case of six of their colleagues infected by H1N1 virus.

An apex court judge, Sanjiv Khanna, came to the court wearing a mask.

Justice Chandrachud said that it was decided that the top court will make vaccines available for innoculation of lawyers.

The Chief Justice suggested during the meeting that lawyers as well as bar association chief should also take the initiative for preventive measures against the disease, Justice Chandrachud added.

Meanwhile, a meeting was held with Supreme Court Bar Association President Dushyant Dave to tackle the health emergency.

Dave said that some foreign delegation members who participated in a judicial conference in the apex court complex recently were infected by the virus.

Two of the judges suffering from swine flu are on the nine-judge Constitution Bench hearing the Sabrimala verdict case, the hearing of which has been delayed as a result.

The judge said Chief Justice of India Sharad Arvind Bobde had held one meeting in this context to figure out the steps that may be taken to check the virus from spreading any more.

Justice Chandrachud said he has suggested the inoculation of those working in the SC.

The topic came up again sometime later in another court when the lawyer requested permission to let a colleague make the argument on her behalf.

To a question by Justice Arun Mishra, senior lawyer Aryama Sundaram said he was feeling exhausted and not feeling too well.

Justice Mishra told the senior lawyer that it would be better if he doesn’t come to court then.

“It is a request to everyone here, don’t come to court if you are not feeling well,” Justice Mishra said.