15 more virtual magistrate courts formed to hear bail petitions

The Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court today formed 15 more virtual courts which will function digitally from tomorrow to deal with the increasing number of bail petitions.

The newly formed virtual courts will only hear bail petitions of accused who have been arrested in cases filed with the 51 police stations in the capital.

The magistrates of the 15 courts are: Millat Hossain, Abu Sufian Md Noman, Md Tofazzal Hossain, Md Jasim, Md Shahinur Rahman, Md Shahidul Islam, Md Eleas Mia, Ziaur Rahman, Yeasmin Ara, Habibur Rahman Chowdhury, Masud-Ur-Rahman, Didar Hussain, Mahmuda Akhter, Satyabrata Sikder and Debabrata Biswas.

On May 11, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate AM Zulfiker Hayat formed four virtual courts that have been conducting case proceedings digitally through audio and video conference.

He later formed seven more virtual courts for quick disposal of bail petitions.

The CMM also directed all 45 courts including the 15 new virtual courts to hear bail petitions of arrested accused with their trial courts until further notice.

Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain on Saturday directed all civil and criminal courts across the country to run their functions through video conferencing from today till June 15 as part of an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Dhaka District and Sessions Judge Md Helal Chowdhury directed all his subordinate courts to hear bail petitions, injunction matters and urgent matters virtually starting tomorrow.

Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunals, Speedy Trial Tribunals Special Judge Courts, Cyber Tribunal, Anti-Terrorism Special Tribunal and Poribesh Appeal Tribunal have also been holding their functions digitally.

On May 10, the Supreme Court issued necessary directives for lower courts to hold hearings on bail petitions of urgent cases in virtual courts.

A total of 20,938 people, including 287 children, who were accused under criminal charges have secured bail from virtual courts across the country in the past 10 working days.

However, some lawyers of the Dhaka Bar Association today brought out a procession on court premises demanding courts to reopen for regular activities.