BSS :
The Appellate Division (AD) of the Supreme Court from July 13, 2020, to June 17, 2021, has disposed of 10,762 cases through virtual hearing.
“Of the cases, 7,125 were disposed of from July 13, 2020, to December 17, 2020, and 3,637 cases were disposed of from January 3, 2021, to June 17, 2021,” Supreme Court spokesperson Md Saifur Rahman told BSS.
The government on May 9, 2020, issued ‘Ordinance for Usage of Information and Communication Technology by Court, 2020’, two days after getting approval from the cabinet, allowing courts to hold trials virtually.
The government had come up with the decision to issue the ordinance to keep serving the justice seekers by different courts.
Terming this ordinance as a landmark act, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq had said it proved that Bangladesh was not legging behind that much from the aspect of judicial process.
To stop the transmission of Covid-19, the government had declared a general holiday from March 26 to May 30, 2020. Later courts started limited operations virtually and in line with the practice directions issued by the apex court.
Supreme Court authorities on May 10 issued notification, asking District and Sessions Judges in each district, Metropolitan
Sessions Judges, judges of Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal, Special Judge Courts, Anti-Terrorism Tribunal, Speedy Trial Tribunal, tribunal for disruption of public security, Judicial Magistrates and Metropolitan Magistrates to hear only emergency bail matters virtually by using information and communication technology.
The Supreme Court had issued special practice directions for lower courts to hold trials virtually. The apex court also issued a virtual courtroom usage manual for lawyers.
Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain on June 17, 2021, has formed 53 benches at the High Court to hold trial proceedings virtually and the benches are holding trial from June 20.
Subordinate sessions, criminal courts and tribunals across the country have started holding trial proceedings with physical appearance from June 20.
