SC functions to continue virtually until Covid-19 situation improves: chief justice

Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain today decided to continue running the virtual functions of the Appellate and High Court divisions of the Supreme Court until the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic situation improves in the country.

He took the decision at a full court meeting held virtually with the judges of both the Appellate and High Court divisions, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm, meeting sources said.

The meeting also decided that the chief justice will constitute at least four to five division (two judges) benches of the High Court so that they can virtually hear and dispose of the cases with the judicial powers like that of the regular division benches.

Chief justice will also increase the number of single judge benches of the High Court from the existing 13 benches in order to virtually hear and dispose of more cases.

He also decided to assign all judges of the HC division by rotation to conduct virtual court functions.

The next full court meeting will be held after upcoming Eid-ul-Azha holidays in order to take further decision, according to the sources.

Justice Md Nuruzzaman, a judge of the Appellate Division, will continue holding hearing and disposing of the cases of this division until further decision.

The regular activities of courts across the country including Appellate and High Court divisions have remained suspended since March 26 due to ongoing coronavirus outbreak.                   

On May 10, Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain issued some directives for the courts about dealing with urgent cases through using information and communication technology during the ongoing closure.