ORDER :

S. MANIKUMAR, J.

1. On 24th March, 2020, the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India announced a complete lock down throughout the Country and consequently, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, issued a Notification No.40-3/2020-DM-I(A) dated 24th March, 2020, enclosing the guidelines on the measures to be taken by the Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, State/Union Territory Governments, for containment of COVID-19 epidemic in the Country.

2. Having regard to the public announcement of imposing a total lock down in the wake of outbreak of pandemic Corona Virus, resulting in immobilization of public at large, and total stoppage of public transport, litigants would find it difficult to approach the Courts to vindicate their grievances. Therefore, we deem it proper to issue directions in the instant suo motu Writ Petition.

3. On request, Shri Ranjith Thampan, learned Additional Advocate General, Kerala, Shri Suman Chakravarthy, learned Senior Public Prosecutor representing the State, Shri P. Vijayakumar, learned Assistant Solicitor General, representing the Government of India and Public Sector Undertakings owned and controlled by the Government of India, and