Delhi faced heavy rainfall over the weekend, resulting in waterlogging and traffic jams across the city. The downpour also affected the functioning of courtrooms, prompting the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court to accommodate the challenging weather conditions.
In response to the inclement weather, both courts announced that lawyers would not be reprimanded for arriving late to court due to potential waterlogging and transportation issues. The courts issued directions to ensure that adverse orders would not be passed if legal representatives were unable to appear for hearings promptly on Monday.
The Delhi High Court faced additional challenges as several courtrooms experienced seepage and water leakage. To mitigate the impact, the affected courtrooms were temporarily relocated to alternative locations until the situation improves.
Courtroom number 2, presided over by Justices Sanjiv Sachdeva and Manoj Jain, was moved to Courtroom number 3. Similarly, Courtroom number 4, where Justices VK Rao and AK Mendiratta hold sessions, was relocated to Courtroom number 9. Finally, Courtroom number 6, typically occupied by Justices Vibhu Bhakru and Amit Mahajan, was shifted to Courtroom number 29 in the Extension Block.
Acknowledging the circumstances, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud expressed his best wishes for the safety and well-being of all individuals affected by the heavy rains.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Supreme Court Advocate on Record Association requested the assistance of the Supreme Court registrar in draining out the stormwater in areas surrounding the Supreme Court. The registrar assured them that the necessary measures would be taken to address the issue.
With the weather department predicting further rain in Delhi for Monday and Tuesday, authorities are closely monitoring the situation and making necessary arrangements to ensure the smooth functioning of the courts amidst the challenging weather conditions.
As the city continues to grapple with heavy rainfall, the courts remain committed to accommodating the needs of lawyers and litigants, prioritizing their safety and convenience during these adverse weather conditions.