Heavy Rainfall Disrupts Court Operations in Northern India

Torrential rainfall in northern India has prompted courts and tribunals to suspend physical operations or assure lawyers that their absence due to waterlogging would not result in adverse orders.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Monday announced the suspension of its functioning, considering the inconvenience faced by litigants, advocates, and court staff.

The High Court further directed all district courts in the state to remain closed for the day. Himachal Pradesh has been severely affected by landslides and flash floods, causing extensive damage to properties and disrupting daily life.

Similarly, New Delhi, the capital city of India, has also experienced heavy rainfall in recent days. As a result, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in Delhi restricted physical hearings and shifted all cases to virtual mode due to waterlogging in its premises.

“In view of the torrential rains, NCLT Building is water logged and is being inspected by CPWD for Civil and Electric faults. Members of Bar and litigants are requested not to come for physical hearing. No adverse order be passed. The Benches shall attend the matters through Virtual Hearing mode. This issues with the approval of Hon’ble President, NCLT,” the notice stated.

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has announced that it will not issue any unfavorable rulings in case litigants or their counsels are unable to attend the tribunal due to the inclement weather conditions

“Please take notice that today due to waterlogging and alert of heavy rains no adverse orders be passed in event an advocate of a party is unable to appear,” the notice further reads.

The Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) has issued a notice to its members, assuring them that no unfavorable orders will be issued by the Court on Monday if lawyers are unable to attend proceedings due to the heavy rainfall.

The notice also informed members that certain courtrooms in the Delhi High Court have been relocated due to leakages and seepage caused by the rain.

Similarly, the Supreme Court has provided reassurance to lawyers that no adverse orders will be passed if they are unable to be present in Court on July 10 due to the inclement weather conditions