Courts to resume functions on limited scale amid Covid-19 crisis

An Appellate Division chamber court and a High Court bench will conduct emergency judicial work to resolve urgent matters amid the ongoing onslaught of the novel coronavirus.

The Supreme Court has also decided that subordinate courts across the country will hold emergency bail hearings on any two days of a week in a limited manner and under strict social distancing rules.

It has also extended the holiday for courts until May 5, aiming to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The disclosures came on Thursday through separate notifications signed by Supreme Court Registrar General Md Ali Akbar.

During the holiday, Appellate Division Justice Md Nuruzzaman will conduct judicial work on urgent matters at the chamber court while maintaining strict social distance, while Justice Obaidul Hasan will deal with urgent cases at the High Court division.

Justices will provide necessary directives on determining the courts' functions and setting the rules for strict social distancing measures, the notification reads.

District and sessions judges, chief judicial magistrates and chief metropolitan magistrates will follow the Supreme Court directive on emergency judicial work during the holiday.

The notification further pointed out that only one lawyer will be present during an emergency bail hearing, and court functions will be postponed if strict social distancing measures are not maintained properly.

"During an emergency bail hearing, any imprisoned accused must not be brought in the court premises and the courtroom through prison vans or by any other means," the notification further reads.