New Delhi

Surya Kant on Thursday said he has requested all high courts across the country to conduct hearings online, adding that most of them have already implemented the measure.

The remarks came during the hearing of an urgent plea before a bench headed by the CJI, in which a lawyer sought directions for all courts in Delhi to function virtually.

“I have already requested the Chief Justices. Most have already implemented. It has to be a voluntary exercise by both the Bar and the Bench,” CJI Kant observed.

The lawyer informed the bench that her petition sought directions to district courts across the country to conduct online hearings for three months in view of the national situation.

Responding to the request, the CJI said district courts fall under the administrative control of the respective high courts.

“District courts are the domain of High Courts. District courts are in the administrative domain of HCs. Let them take a call... I have requested them for district courts also,” he said.

Earlier on Monday, the CJI had written to chief justices of all high courts urging them to hold virtual hearings on Mondays and Fridays temporarily in order to reduce avoidable expenditure amid the ongoing West Asia crisis.

On May 15, the Supreme Court had also decided to conduct proceedings exclusively through video conferencing on Mondays and Fridays. Judges additionally resolved to encourage carpooling arrangements to ensure optimal fuel usage.

The decisions followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to minimise unnecessary expenditure in light of the West Asia situation.