The Appellate Division has begun virtual judicial functions to hear and dispose of urgent cases, after being suspended for four months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The six-member full court bench of the Supreme Court Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, began proceedings at 10:00am and continued till 1:15pm on Monday.
In a speech before the beginning of court proceedings, the chief justice said the virtual court system needs to be taken forward.
The Appellate Division will initially conduct judicial functions on Mondays and Thursdays.
"If the virtual proceedings are successful, the apex court bench will operate on five working days," Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain said.
He also expressed deep condolences to the families of 36 Supreme Court Bar Association lawyers who have died in the pandemic.
The chief justice thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Law Minister Anisul Huq for taking the necessary measures to conduct judicial proceedings virtually.
Chief state lawyer Mahbubey Alam, and Supreme Court Bar Association President, Advocate AM Amin Uddin, also welcomed the beginning of virtual court proceedings of the apex court.
The Appellate Division heard and disposed of two cases, although 20 cases were included on the cause list, according to the Supreme Court website.
On July 12, the chief justice decided to begin virtual proceedings at the Appellate Division, strictly following health guidelines.
The chief justice had earlier declared a general holiday for all courts across the country from March 26 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
On May 10, the chief justice issued directives and a user manual in line with the ordinance issued by President Md Abdul Hamid on May 9, allowing regular court proceedings to be conducted virtually during the Covid-19 lockdown in Bangladesh.
