NEW DELHI – The Patiala House Courts may switch to virtual proceedings on September 11, 2026, in anticipation of the extensive security and traffic restrictions planned for the BRICS Summit. The Delhi Traffic Police has formally requested this arrangement to mitigate disruptions caused by the high-profile international event.
BRICS Summit to Cause Significant Traffic Curbs
The BRICS Summit is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, 2026. Authorities are preparing to implement wide-ranging security and traffic restrictions around key venues, including Bharat Mandapam, Mathura Road, Bhairon Marg, and adjacent areas. These measures are designed to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the summit, which brings together leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
The Delhi Traffic Police communicated that these anticipated restrictions could severely inconvenience judicial officers, members of the Bar, litigants, court staff, witnesses, and other individuals traveling to and from the Patiala House Courts. The movement of court-related vehicles and personnel is also expected to be significantly affected.
Virtual Functioning Proposed for September 11
To address these concerns, the traffic police have urged consideration of operating the Patiala House Courts in virtual mode on September 11, 2026. Additionally, they suggested that September 12, which falls on a second Saturday, could be designated a holiday or non-working day, pending approval from the competent authority.
The request was directed to the honorary secretary of the New Delhi Bar Association and the office of the Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic). The traffic police have asked the Bar Association to pursue the matter with the Registrar General of the Delhi High Court to facilitate the issuance of appropriate directions promptly.
This initiative follows a meeting between senior Delhi Traffic Police officers and representatives from the Bar Associations of the Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, and Patiala House Court. During this meeting, officials briefed the legal community on the planned traffic management and parking arrangements for the BRICS Summit.
The proposed shift to virtual functioning aims to minimize inconvenience for those involved in court proceedings while ensuring that essential judicial work can continue despite the heightened security and traffic measures necessitated by the international summit.