With an endeavour to clear the backlog of cases, for the first time the vacation benches in the Punjab and Haryana High Court will hear regular (old) cases.

Till now, the vacation benches used to hear only urgent cases like those pertaining to anticipatory bail, regular bail, habeas corpus . From this year, regular cases which are pending in the High Court for several years will be heard on a daily basis.

Not only this, the number of vacation benches have also been increased. Unlike previous years, where there used to be only one division Bench and a maximum of two Single Benches, now along with one Division Bench eight Single Benches will also function. According to information, the decision on these issues was taken by the Supreme Court in a recent meet attended by Chief Justices and chief ministers from all the states.

While communicating to all the lawyers in the high court, Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Justice Tirath Singh Thakur has asked them to argue their regular cases during the vacation, subject to availability.

“The advocates were asked to give details of their regular cases which have been pending for several years. The advocates were asked to argue their cases during vacation. Many advocates have come forward and got their regular cases listed during the vacation,” said Advocate Vivek Thakur.

Welcoming the change, advocate Rupinder Khosla, said “This is a pleasant change. Since it is not compulsory, all the advocates who want to finish their regular cases can get their cases listed during vacation and get them decided. Moreover during vacation, the advocates have ample time to prepare for their regular cases which demand more labour.”

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