6 August 2020: The regular proceedings at the Banke District Court and High Court Tulsipur Banke Bench have once again been affected with the prohibitory order in place. The District Administrative Office (DAO) issued a prohibitory order on 2 August 2020 in a bid to control the spread of the infection and to prevent more people from getting infected. The Court had just resumed its regular services as the lockdown orders were lifted on 21 July 2020.
Complying with the prohibitory order, apart from urgent services like extending the date of remand, habeas corpus, issuing arrest warrants, permitting the access of call details, filing of the charge sheet with limited time frame, the Court has currently suspended all other services. On August 5 2020, the Court decided to continue with the urgent proceedings and to hear cases of habeas corpus and domestic violence. The continuation of the prohibitory order is certain to obstruct the smooth administration of justice.
Tirtha Raj Bhatta (Registrar, Banke District Court) informed that a meeting is scheduled on 9 August 2020 to discuss on the recommencement of additional non-urgent court proceedings, taking into account the ongoing prohibitory order. “Of the total 4489 cases, 1876 cases were resolved by the Court in the last fiscal year” shared Bhatta. He added that the transfer of Judges and the ongoing pandemic are the main reasons for not being able to resolve cases as envisioned.
