Courts throughout the country will hear cases only when absolutely necessary as the nation is in lockdown to prevent the risk of spread of coronavirus infection.

An emergency full meeting of all the justices of the Supreme Court, including the Chief Justice, today decided to hold the hearing in bench only when absolutely necessary as the government has declared a lockdown throughout the country to be safe from COVID-19 risk.

"There has been a cut down in the services provided by courts. Only a small unit will function now. The Chief Justice and Chief Registrar will coordinate with regards to many works by telephone as well," Supreme Court Spokesperson Bhadrakali Pokhrel said.

The plenary has decided that the courts throughout the country including the Supreme Court will only hear petitions related to habeas corpus, serious writs about epidemics and plea of child reform houses.

According to Pokhrel, this decision will come into effect from today itself and remain so until April 3.