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Virtual journey of apex court starts

FE REPORT | July 14, 2020 00:00:00


The apex court of the country on Monday began its judicial activities virtually, after around four months, to hear and dispose of urgent cases.

The six-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain began proceedings at 10:00 am and continued till 1:15 am.

At the beginning of the court proceedings, the chief justice said the virtual court system needs to be taken forward.

The bench of the Appellate Division will operate judicial functions on Mondays and Thursdays. If the virtual proceedings work successfully, the apex court bench will operate on five working days later, he said.

At the same time, other judges of the Appellate Division said that virtual activities are part of the regular court.

Chies Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain extended a note of thanks to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Law Minister Anisul Huq for taking necessary measures to convert the ordinance of 'Usage of Information and Communica-tion Technology in Court 2020' into a permanent law, said Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan, a Supreme Court lawyer, who attended the virtual court proceedings.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President advocate AM Amin Uddin also welcomed the apex court for beginning the virtual court proceedings.

The Appellate Division on Sunday heard and disposed of two cases although 20 cases were included in the cause list, said Khurshid Alam.

The regular activities of courts need to reopen strictly following the health guidelines for the interest of lawyers and litigants, he added.

The chief justice on July 12 decided to run virtual proceedings at the Appellate Division, strictly following health guidelines.

The last time a full bench of the Appellate Division had conducted proceedings was on March 12. The SC's Appellate and High Court divisions then went on a scheduled vacation.

The chief justice declared a general holiday for all courts across the country from March 26 due to the pandemic.

Later, on May 11 this year, virtual operation of the judiciary was introduced and the lower courts across the country and some high court benches and chamber judge of the appellate division were conducting judicial functions through this system.

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