<span style="color: #222222;">The Supreme Court today passed a slew of directions for all courts across the country to extensively use video-conferencing for judicial proceedings. It said that congregation of lawyers and litigants must be suspended to maintain social distancing amid coronavirus pandemic. A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde said that recent outbreak of the COVID-19 has necessitated social distancing and it is necessary to ensure that court premises do not contribute to the spread of coronavirus.<br />'' <br />''The top court, which has restricted its functioning and is conducting hearing through video conferencing of extremely urgent matters during the lockdown period since March 25.<br />'' <br />''The bench, also comprising Justices D Y Chandrachud and L Nageswara Rao, made it clear that no evidence would be recorded via video-conferencing. It said, if recording of evidence is must in the courts, then the concerned judge would ensure that distance is maintained inside the courtroom.<br />'' <br />''The court took cognizance of a letter written by senior advocate and former Supreme Court Bar Association President Vikas Singh, who has suggested measures for use of technology for conducting hearings in the courts.<br />''<br />''Attorney General K K Venugopal said the National Informatics Centre, NIC must look into efficient and cheap application across the country.<br />''<br />''The Director General of NIC told the bench that three things are required for video-conferencing — good broadband connection, good devices and conduct of people.</span><br />