SC directs lower court to hear bail pleas virtually

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DHAKA, May 10, 2020 (BSS) – The Supreme Court (SC) authorities today directed lower courts concerned to hold hearing only on bail matters virtually in line with the special practice direction issued by the apex court during the ongoing general holiday.

Supreme Court authorities issued a notification in this regard and posted it on its website this evening.

Signed by Supreme Court Registrar General Md Ali Akbar, the notification asked 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 lower courts have been directed to hold the trial under ‘Usage of Information and Communication Technology in Court Ordinance, 2020’ and in line with apex court’s special practice direction in this regard.

The Supreme Court earlier issued 21 special practice directions for lower courts to hold trial virtually. The apex court also issued virtual courtroom usage manual for lawyers.

The Supreme Court on May 5 extended the ongoing general holiday, which was declared initially from March 29, at all the courts across the country till May 16 to prevent the transmission of deadly coronavirus.