New Delhi

The Supreme Court on Monday clarified that advocates who are not able to participate in court proceedings through video conferencing on Mondays and Fridays can appear physically.

A circular issued by the apex court said a representation has been received from the Supreme Court Bar Association about the difficulty being faced by advocates in this regard.

"It is hereby clarified that the said directions were issued keeping in view the nation's interest. However, representation has been received from the Supreme Court Bar Association about the difficulty being faced by advocates in this regard.

"Accordingly, the Competent Authority, while appealing to the members of the Bar that they should continue to appear online, has clarified that the advocates who, for some unavoidable reasons, are not able to participate via video conferencing mode may appear physically before the Hon'ble Courts whenever it is functioning physically," the circular said.

On May 15, the top court had decided to hear cases exclusively through video conference on Mondays and Fridays, and judges "unanimously resolved" to encourage car-pooling arrangements amongst themselves in order to ensure optimum fuel utilisation.

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The move came following a call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for cutting down avoidable expenditure amid the ongoing West Asia crisis.