Supreme Court seeks response from NCLAT, CESTAT, ITATs and High Courts on alleged Disbandment of Virtual Hearing Facilities [Read Judgement]

A Division Bench of the Supreme Court has sought response from the National Company Law Appellate Tribunals (NCLAT), Customs and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT), Income Tax Appellate Tribunals (ITAT) and High Courts across the nation regarding disbandment of Virtual Hearing facilities.

The petitioner who appeared in person had a grievance that the Video Conferencing facilities which have been set up by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana are not being put to use and the High Court has completely disbanded the use of the Video Conferencing facilities.

The Supreme Court issued notice to the Registrar General of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana.

In addition, notices were issued to the Registrars General of all the High Courts which shall be communicated by the Registrar (Judicial) through email.

The Apex Court Bench of the Chief Justice and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra also issued notices to the Registrars of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and the National Green Tribunal.

Further, the Registrar Generals of the High Courts and the Registrars of the Tribunals were directed to intimate the Top Court as to whether hearings in the hybrid mode are being allowed or whether the facilities have been disbanded. They were also directed to file an affidavit before this Court within a period of two weeks from today, indicating –

(i) How many video conferencing hearings have taken place in the last three

months; and

(ii) Whether any courts are declining to permit video conferencing hearings.

The Solicitor General was also requested to assist the Court on the availability of hybrid hearings in the Debt Recovery Tribunals, Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunals, Customs Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal and other Tribunals under the various Ministries.

The Writ Petition was listed to be next heard on 06 October 2023.

To Read the full text of the Order CLICK HERE

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