SC extends courts’ closure till April 25

The Supreme Court today extended the ongoing closure for all courts across the country, including its Appellate and High Court Divisions, till April 25 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain took the decision at a meeting with the judges of the Appellate Division at his official residence in Dhaka's Kakrail area.

SC's Registrar General Md Ali Akbar issued two separate circulars containing the decisions of the meeting.

In one circular, it said that the apex court judges decided that the court functions should not be kept open on a limitedf scale amid the ongoing coronavirus spread as judges, lawyers, officials and staffers need to work together to run court activities, which may prove harmful to their health.

Another circular said the ad-interim orders passed by the courts before the closure indulging bails to the accused, stay of trial proceedings of cases and directives for the surrender of the accused to lower courts, will be extended for two weeks after reopening of the courts following the ongoing closure.

Besides, one or multiple magistrates will remain on standby at all the metropolitan and district areas as usual to deal with urgent cases like remand prayers, according to the circular.

The SC has so far extended the closure thrice, beginning on March 25.