Top court exempts lawyers from wearing coats, gowns
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court lawyers were on Wednesday exempted from wearing gowns and coats while attending the virtual hearings in view of medical advice that there is a greater possibility of the Covid-19 spread through these robes.
Officials said a circular issued in this regard has been implemented with an immediate effect and the exemption will remain in force till the medical exigency exists. “Medical advice to beat the spread of Covid-19 requires clothes to be washed regularly. Since gowns, robes and coats cannot be washed daily, the possibility of the virus spreading through their daily use cannot be ruled out,” said a Supreme Court Registry official on condition of anonymity. A similar exemption from wearing coats and ties was extended to the Supreme Court officials on April 24.
“... considering the medical advice, as a precautionary measure to contain spread of Covid-19 infection under prevailing conditions, the Competent Authority has been pleased to direct that the advocates may wear ‘plain whiteshirt/white-salwar-kameez/ white saree, with a plainwhite neck band’ during the hearings before the Supreme Court of India through Virtual Court System,” the circular issued on Wednesday evening said.
The Bar Council of India rules prescribe lawyers to be “sober and dignified” in their dressing while appearing before courts. In the Supreme Court, a lawyer has to be dressed in a coat, white shirt (for men), white or black sari/ skirt (for women), gown and white band. The rules have been framed under Section 49(1)(gg) of the Advocates Act, 1961.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) S A Bobde had earlier in the day indicated that such an exemption was in the offing when senior advocate Kapil Sibal spotted him and two other judges in a courtroom without gowns and raised a query in this regard. He told Sibal that they have been informed about the possibility of the coronavirus “attaching to their robes” and added he would soon issue instructions allowing an exemption to lawyers.