Lawmakers in Chile have agreed to postpone the referendum on its new constitution given the global pandemic of COVID-19. The referendum on the new constitution was approved by President Sebastian Pinera in December 2019 as a result of mass protests that continued for months in Chile. Now, the referendum on the new constitution is likely to be scheduled in October
In view of the nationwide lockdown, the Supreme Court issued a notice dated 24.03.2020 adjourning all matters listed on 25.03.2020 before the two operational courtrooms. Two benches headed by Justices DY Chandrachud & Surya Kant and Justices L. Nageswara Rao & Aniruddha Bose were to hear urgent matters via video-conferencing before the announcement of a nationwide lockdown on 24.03.2020.
The Human Rights Watch (HRW) called out Cambodia for suppressing free speech during the outbreak of COVID-19. The Cambodian Government has arrested 17 people since January 2020 for sharing information of COVID-19. Shockingly, one of the arrested persons is a 14-year-old girl. Allegedly, the Cambodian Government is arresting opposition activists and people criticizing the government for its inaction to contain
A PIL was filed before the Supreme Court for an increase in the number of test laboratories and quarantine facilities across the country for treating COVID-19. Acknowledging the urgency amidst the spread of COVID-19 the CJI S.A. Bobde converted the PIL into a direct representation to the Government. The CJI agreed with the Petitioner’s advocate on “Time is of the
The Prime Minister announced a nationwide lockdown on 24.03.2020 to stop the spread of COVID-19. The lockdown began at midnight of 24.03.2020 and will last for 3 weeks. The duration of the lockdown is attributed to the health experts recommended 21-day cycle that is said to end the infection cycle of COVID-19. During the lockdown, essential services will be available.
The Ministry of Labour & Employment issued an advisory on 20.03.2020 to the employers of Public/Private Establishments. The Ministry advised employers to not terminate or reduce the wages of their employees, especially casual/contractual workers if they take leaves or if the work is suspended. The advice came in the backdrop of the COVID-19 scare before the lockdown was announced on
Bombay High Court issued a circular on 23.03.2020 regarding its functioning in view of the outbreak of COVID-19. The circular stated that only matters of extreme importance will be heard in two functioning courtrooms, each headed by a single judge. One court will hear all civil matters and the other will hear all criminal matters. The cases will be heard
The lord chief justice, Lord Burnett of Maldon, suspended jury trials entirely until appropriate precautions are put in place for COVID-19. However, the jury trials already begun are to be either adjourned or if necessary be heard with safety measures in place. Lord Burnett said arrangements have been made to conduct hearings, other than jury trials, using digital modes. Lord
The parliament passed the Finance Bill 2020-21 without discussions, in the wake of COVID-19. Some opposition leaders interrupted the voting demanding a financial package dealing with the impact of COVID-19 on livelihoods. However, Speaker Om Birla told the members that he met with the floor leaders who agreed to pass the Bill without discussions in view of the current situation
The Supreme Court of India is going digital, given the COVID-19 scare, limiting human interaction. The Chief Justice of India S A Bobde, in the morning session, stated that the filing in the Supreme Court would be done online via e-filing, launched in 2018 and the dates of hearings (if any) will be sent to the lawyers vide e-mails. The
