SC extends the limitation period to file cases under all laws across the country given the COVID-19 situation

SC extends the limitation period to file cases under all laws across the country given the COVID-19 situation

The Hon’ble apex court in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases across the nation passed the order affirming relaxation to file the cases under all general and special laws across the nation. 

The order was passed by a Hon’ble apex court bench comprising of Hon’ble Chief Justice of India N.V Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and AS Bopanna. 

The Hon’ble Supreme Court bench on Tuesday via vide order relaxed the limitation period to file cases across the country from 14th March 2021 until further orders. 

The Hon’ble Supreme court bench while passing the order also stated that “for the past few weeks the second wave of COVID-19 situation across the nation is witnessed to be alarming, and have put the litigants to hardship. Consequently, all limitation period which was relaxed by the Hon’ble court till 13th March 2021 and ending on 14th March 2021 be extended until any further orders.”

The petition before the Hon’ble apex court was filed by the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (hereinafter referred to as “SCAORA”) seeking suspension of the limitation period to file cases under all general and special laws because of the surge in COVID-19 cases across the country. 

SCAORA in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation sought restoration of a March 2020, order of the Hon’ble apex court whereby the Hon’ble Apex Court had taken up the issue suo motu, directing the suspension of the limitation period given the difficulties faced by the litigants in approaching the Hon’ble courts amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The impleadment application was filed by advocate Abhinav Ramkrishna stating that a large number of Hon’ble Supreme Court staff has been affected by the new variant of the COVID-19 and thus it “becomes all the more necessary to restore the order dated 23rd March 2020.” 

Likewise, the Hon’ble apex court has extended the extension to file cases across the nation.