Govt plans to set up virtual court: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the government was thinking of introducing a virtual court in the country.

Speaking at the National Judicial Conference-2019, she said it would reduce the risk and hassle to move notorious criminals to and from jail.

She also hoped that judges, being accountable to the country, its people and the constitution, would help ensure the rule of law and justice using their merit and creativity.

“I don’t want that like us someone will have to wait for years [for justice] while bearing the pain of losing relatives. Let all have justice and shelter of law as per constitutional provisions,” Hasina told the conference.

This year’s judicial conference was organised on the theme “Justice for Peace and Development” at the capital’s Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.

The PM said she thought the legislature, the judiciary and the executive branches were very much essential for running the state.

“These three organs will operate with their laws and policies. Again, there should be coordination among these three organs, which will advance the country towards peace and development.”

Hasina also said the government wanted continuation of democratic process in the country. In this connection, she congratulated the judiciary for its bold step to declare illegal the grabbing of power through the killing of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975.

As a result, it was easy to continue the democratic process of the country as well as expediting development, she said.

The premier said the president, as per the constitution, promulgated rules and regulations for distributing government’s jobs and run it. The president also promulgates the warrant of precedence.

“Only the president has the jurisdiction to make any change to these matters. As per the constitution, there is no scope to raise any question in court about the activities of the president.”

But it is often seen that courts issue rules regarding the president’s jurisdiction, she said.

“If one [organ of the state] interferes in another’s job, then it would be tough to run the state or ensure justice or peace or development of the country.”

Hasina also described numerous programmes carried out in the country for the development of the judiciary.

Regarding writing verdicts in English, the PM said a Bengali version should be there simultaneously so that people can understand the verdicts properly. She said the judges should consider this matter.

Defending operating mobile courts by executive magistrates, she said those were popular with the people as they confirm immediate punishment to culprits. Due to the mobile courts, the pressure of additional cases on the judiciary has eased, the premier added.

Law Minister Anisul Huq and Law and Justice Division Secretary Md Golam Sarwar also spoke at the programme, chaired by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain.

The daylong conference discussed all relevant issues, including backlog of cases, digitalisation of the judiciary and effective court administration management.

Judges from the Appellate and High Court divisions of the Supreme Court and subordinate courts across the country attended the event.