Witnesses to get court dates via SMS

Witnesses of criminal cases can now digitally know the dates of their appearance before the courts concerned.

The government on Thursday launched a programme to digitally inform the scheduled dates about their appearance before the courts  through SMS along with current system of issuing summons.

The ministries of law, and post and telecommunication collectively inaugurated the event as a pilot programme for Cumilla and Narsingdi to ensure the presence of witnesses before courts on fixed dates to place their statements.

Speaking as chief guest at the inauguration in secretariat, Law Minister Anisul Huq said absence of witnesses or their irregular appearances before courts are one of the main causes for long delay in disposing of cases. This programme will reduce the time and cost of litigants and the state, he said.

Post and Telecommunication Minister Mustafa Zabbar was also present at the programme.