Programme for informing dates of witnesses' appearance in courts through SMS launched

The government today launched a programme to inform witnesses through SMS their court appearance dates in criminal cases, which will complement the current system of issuing summons.

The ministries of law, and post and telecommunication collectively inaugurated the function as a pilot programme in Cumilla and Narsingdi.

Speaking as chief guest at the inauguration at the Secretariat, Law Minister Anisul Huq said absence of witnesses or their irregular appearances before the courts are the main causes for long delays in disposing of cases in the country.

The new programme will reduce the time and cost of litigants and the state.

Their sufferings and harassment will also be reduced, and transparency and accountability in the judicial system will be ensured, he said, adding delays in case disposal will also decrease.

Minister Anisul Huq said the orders of summons don't reach the witnesses on time for different reasons and causes, which is also a cause for witnesses' absence or irregular appearances before courts.

If the witnesses are informed of the scheduled dates through SMS, they will appear before the courts on time and this system will play an effective role in establishing justice, he said.

Anisul Huq said the witnesses cannot deny receiving the SMS.

The programme will run in all districts across the country in phases, the law minister said.    

Post and Telecommunication Minister Mustafa Jabbar said on the occasion that the programme was a historical milestone in the progress for building a Digital Bangladesh.

The ministry of post and telecommunication has already sent the digital links to 98 percent areas of Bangladesh and it is pledged bound to cover the country within this year, he added.