New Delhi (TIP): Several staff members of the Supreme Court have tested positive for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19). As of Saturday, at least 44 members from judges’ offices and in the court registry are found to be infected with the viral disease.

Following this, sanitisation work is underway at the top court’s premises including courtrooms and the proceedings will begin an hour late than their scheduled time. The Supreme Court has a staff strength of 3,400. After conducting virtual hearings since April last year, the top court decided to hold hybrid hearings from March 15.

However, the order was challenged by Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Vikas Singh pressed the Chief Justice of India for resuming physical hearing, citing concerns regarding the financial burden on lawyers. “I don’t want lawyers to die of starvation.