The Supreme Court (SC) has asked all judicial officials to not leave their workstations, during the courts’ vacation and the government declared Eid-ul-Azha holidays, to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
On July 23, a circular signed by Mohammad Aktaruzzaman Bhuiyan, deputy registrar (Administration and Judicial) for the High Court Division of the Supreme Court, was issued in this regard.
The circular said to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the officers and employees of both the Supreme Court’s division and subordinate courts are directed not to leave their workstations during the annual vacation or go for optional leave.
The Supreme Court will enjoy a vacation from July 26 to August 8, including the Eid holidays. According to the Supreme Court calendar, the court will remain close for 180 days this year, of which 114 will be weekends and 63 days will be vacation. All subordinate courts and tribunals across Bangladesh will enjoy the Eid holidays only.
Beside government declared holidays, the subordinate courts (Civil) will enjoy vacation from December 2 to December 31.
However, on July 13, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a circular saying that the rate of Covid-19 infection is increasing every day and to prevent it from spreading further, all government, non-government and autonomous organizations’ officer and employees are directed to stay at their workstation compulsorily.
Meanwhile, the Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain constituted 12 High Court benches for hearing and disposing cases during the court's vacation.
After vacation, the Appellate and High Court Divisions of the Supreme Court will reopen on August 9.
On July 23, SC administration issued a notification which said benches will conduct judicial functions virtually.
Justices Tariq ul Hakim, Muhammad Abdul Hafiz, Syed Refaat Ahmed, Md Rais Uddin, AKM Abdul Hakim, FRM Nazmul Ahasan, Abu Zafor Siddique, Sheikh Hassan Arif, Md Ruhul Quddus, Farid Ahmed, Shahidul Karim and SM Kuddus Zaman will conduct the 12 newly formed virtual vacation benches.
Another notification, issued on July 25, said judges of the 12 newly formed High Court vacation benches will virtually hear or dispose cases and petitions, which they received from previous virtual benches.
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 amidst Covid-19 lockdowns in Bangladesh.
Regular activities of courts across the country, including the Appellate Division and the High Court Division of the Supreme Court, have remained closed since March 26 for the then ongoing government-declared general holidays.
