Decision of operating court activity on small scale stayed

The Supreme Court has stayed a decision to hold emergency proceedings on a small scale in the Supreme Court and lower courts in the backdrop of the Covid-19 outbreak.

A notice signed by the registrar general was issued on Saturday in this regard as per the directive of Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain.

The notice reads that the decision of holding a chamber court of the Appellate Division and a bench of the High Court has been stayed until April 27 for unavoidable circumstances. Besides, the decision of holding a Judge Court two days a week has also been postponed until further notice.

The decision was taken on April 23 after discussions with the supreme court lawyers' association and requests from other lawyers.

The notice issued on April 23 reads Appellate Division Justice Md Nuruzzaman will seat in Appellate Division Chamber Court for hearing emergency trials during the vacation, maintaining strict social distancing.

Besides, Justice Obaidul Hasan will conduct the hearing of emergency trials in the High Court Vacation Division.

The notice also reads that every district, session and the metropolitan judicial judge will conduct emergency bail hearings on any two days of the week as per their convenience, maintaining strict social distancing rules.