The Supreme Court announced major changes in its functioning on Friday, introducing virtual hearings twice a week and carpooling among judges as part of fuel‑saving measures.
According to the circular issued by Secretary General Bharat Parashar, hearings on Mondays, Fridays, and other designated miscellaneous days will now take place through video conferencing. Partial court working days will also be conducted online.
The court administration has been directed to ensure the timely sharing of video links and maintain robust technical arrangements to avoid inconvenience to litigants and lawyers. Judges agreed to carpool on offline days, travelling together whenever required.
The circular also introduced new work arrangements for employees. Up to 50 per cent of staff in each branch will be allowed to work from home for two days a week. The remaining staff must remain physically present to ensure smooth functioning. Employees working remotely must stay available on the phone and report to the office immediately if required. Registrars have been given authority to modify or restrict work‑from‑home arrangements if workload demands.
