Chandigarh, March 30, 2020: Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association has decided to suspend work in the Punjab and Haryana High Court till April 14 to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Here is the statement issued by the association:
"In furtherance of E- Resolution dated 23.03.2020 passed by the Executive Committee of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association, Chandigarh and in view of the appeal made by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, on 24.03.2020 with regard to announcement of “21-Days Nationwide Lockdown” (which came into effect on Tuesday midnight, i.e. March 25 and will continue until 14th April 2020), to contain the spread of Corona Virus COVID-19 and to practise strict Social DistancingIn view of the above said issue, the Executive Committee has unanimously decided in its meeting dated 30.03.2020 under the chairmanship of Dr. Dayal Partap Singh Randhawa that the work shall remain suspended till 14.04.2020 to prevent the spread of dangerously contagious pandemic of Corona Virus (Covid -19). Members are requested not to come to the High Court premises under any circumstances till 14.04.2020.
Keeping in view the interest of our legal fraternity and society at large including Judges, Lawyers, Employees of High Court, offices of the Union of India, Advocate General of both the States of Punjab and Haryana as well as Union Territory, Chandigarh; to avoid any possibility of infection being carried into society by the visiting of any litigants, Advocates and their staff, it is hereby resolved, that the members of the Bar are again requested to strictly adhere to the resolution passed by the Bar, in regard to the suspension of work in the High Court.
It is further resolved, that the Executive Committee requests to Additional Solicitor General of India, Advocate General Punjab, Advocate General Haryana and Senior Standing Counsel for Union Territory Chandigarh to ensure that no coercive steps be taken to the detriment of the prospective litigants during the aforesaid period in view of the limited remedial measures available for the time being.
It is further resolved that the High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh should take stringent measures as per our resolution dated 30.03.2020 in regard to enforce the TOTAL SHUTDOWN, as a measure of precaution till 14.04.2020, making the High Court premises a ZERO FOOT-FALL zone, to counter the spread of Corona Virus (COVID-19) as the Hon’ble Prime Minister has given a nationwide call to fight it."