Supreme Court Urges Online Hearings Amid Rising Temperatures

India's Supreme Court has encouraged virtual courtroom appearances, influenced by sweltering Delhi weather, highlighting the need for online adaptations. Chief Justice Surya Kant emphasized virtual access as crucial, but acknowledged challenges in enforcing mandatory remote hearings.

The Supreme Court of India has called on lawyers to adopt virtual hearings as Delhi faces scorching temperatures that reach nearly 50 degrees Celsius. The Chief Justice, Surya Kant, and his bench reviewed this adaptation as a way to help senior legal professionals avoid traveling in the heat.

During the session, the court expressed its support for a lawyer's plea for mandatory online sessions in Delhi courts, given the current weather. However, the court opted not to issue binding orders, as it acknowledged potential challenges for legal practitioners in mandating such a transition without fully understanding their constraints.

This development follows steps already taken by the Chief Justice to encourage online hearings every Monday and Friday, amid a broader initiative for cost-saving measures highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the West Asia crisis.