RajasthanHighCourt – All 39 Judges to Conduct Friday Proceedings from Jaipur
RajasthanHighCourt – The Rajasthan High Court will operate under a unique administrative arrangement on Friday, with every one of its 39 judges hearing cases from Jaipur while ensuring that judicial proceedings at both the Jodhpur Principal Seat and the Jaipur Bench continue without disruption.
Special Court Arrangement for Friday
In an uncommon move, all judges of the Rajasthan High Court, including those normally assigned to the Principal Seat in Jodhpur and the Jaipur Bench, will conduct court proceedings from Jaipur for the day. To facilitate uninterrupted judicial work, matters relating to the Jodhpur Principal Seat will be taken up through video conferencing, allowing litigants and legal practitioners to continue participating in hearings without requiring the physical presence of judges in Jodhpur.
To manage the day’s workload efficiently, the High Court has established four larger benches, six division benches, and fifteen single benches. This temporary arrangement has been planned to maintain the regular functioning of the court despite the judges being stationed in a single location.
Judges Gather for International Legal Conference
The administrative decision has been made because all judges will remain in Jaipur over the next three days to attend an international conference focusing on peace, mediation, and the rule of law. The event is scheduled to begin on Friday evening and is being organised by the Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority.
The conference is expected to bring together distinguished participants from several Commonwealth countries, including judges, senior advocates, legal scholars, mediators, policymakers, and other experts associated with the justice system. The gathering aims to encourage discussions on strengthening legal institutions, promoting mediation, and improving access to justice through international cooperation and the exchange of professional experiences.
Distribution of Benches Across Both Seats
According to the roster prepared for Friday, cases linked to the Jodhpur Principal Seat will be heard by one larger bench, three division benches, and four single benches through virtual proceedings. Meanwhile, matters filed before the Jaipur Bench will be handled by three larger benches, three division benches, and eleven single benches operating from Jaipur.
Court officials have designed this arrangement to ensure that routine hearings and scheduled matters continue as planned while all judges remain available to participate in the conference activities outside court hours.
Important Legal Questions Before Larger Benches
Several significant legal matters have been listed before the larger benches. Among them is the question of whether cases involving senior citizens, women, children, and persons with disabilities should receive priority during court hearings.
The benches will also consider long-pending petitions dating back to 1989, including matters filed by Acharya Dharmendra and others concerning the proposed installation of a statue of Manu within the Jaipur Bench premises of the Rajasthan High Court.
Another important issue relates to the eligibility of convicted prisoners serving sentences in cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and in cases involving the rape of minors for transfer to open prisons. These matters raise important legal questions that require authoritative interpretation by larger benches.
Decisions Expected to Guide Future Cases
Many of the issues listed for hearing involve substantial questions of law with implications extending beyond the individual cases. Decisions delivered by the larger benches are expected to provide legal clarity and serve as guiding precedents for courts dealing with similar matters in the future.
The special administrative arrangement highlights the High Court’s effort to balance its judicial responsibilities with participation in an important international legal event. By relying on carefully planned bench allocations and video conferencing facilities, the court aims to ensure that regular proceedings continue efficiently while all judges remain in Jaipur for the three-day conference.