In view of stable COVID-19 situation, P&H HC withdraws all interim orders pertaining to its functioning which were re-imposed earlier amid pandemic

Read Order: Court on its own motion v. Union of India and Others 

Monika Rahar

Chandigarh, March 9,  2022: Owing to a decrease in COVID-19 cases, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has, in a Suo Motu Civil proceeding, ordered the withdrawal of all the interim orders passed by the Court making changes in its functioning due to the increase in COVID-19 cases. 

The Chief Justice led Division Bench of Chief Justice Ravi Shanker Jha and Justice Arun Palli said in this respect, “Looking to the situation as it exists today and in view of the submissions made by learned counsel for the parties, especially by the learned Amicus-Curiae, who has ably assisted this Court during the entire process, all the interim orders passed by this Court are hereby withdrawn and the petition is disposed of with an observation that it may be taken up again in case any occasion arises.”

On January 21, 2022, after the apprehensions surrounding the third wave started surfacing, the High Court extended the validity of all interim orders passed by the High Court itself, as also the orders of the subordinate Court and the Tribunals till February 28.

Now, since the COVID situation is stable, the Court has withdrawn its interim orders.