The Supreme Court resumed physical hearings, nearly seven months after physical hearings were suspended due to the second Covid-19 wave as several judges and court staff had contracted the infection. The court will be holding physical hearings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays every week. Hearings of Mondays and Fridays – the days on which the courts hear fresh cases will continue in virtual mode.
Decision regarding completely moving to physical mode of hearings will be taken after November 6, when the court reopens after 6-days Diwali holidays. Virtual courts have helped in cutting down on expenses and avoiding crowded court rooms. However, physical hearings have its own benefits. As mentioned by Justice DY Chandrachud, working in virtual mode “became so lonely at times.”