DHAKA: The parliament on Wednesday (July 8) passed a bill to allowing courts to run trial proceedings through videoconferences and other digital means.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq, move the ‘Adalat Kartik Tathiya Projukti Bebohar Bill 2020’ in the House. It was passed by voice vote.

This law is already promulgated by the President to reduce the piling of cases in the courts during the general holidays enforced for controlling coronavirus as ordinance as the Parliament was not in session.

The ordinance was approved by the cabinet on May 7 where the country was in lockdown since March 27 to June 30.

According to the previous law, the trial proceedings are run in physical presence of judges, counsels and witnesses in the court.

By this ordinance, it was possible to run the proceedings during the COVID-19 period when social distancing was a must.

After passing the bill, Law Minister Anisul Huq said a foreign institution will train lawyers in this regard.

He said: “This law is only for special circumstances. Comprehensive trial proceedings cannot be carried out now. Some 50,000 detainees were granted bail till Tuesday and it was possible because of virtual courts.”

The law minister also said that he had spoken to the Chief Justice about the ongoing pandemic situation. “Since we have learned to maintain social distancing, the Chief Justice said, if necessary, courts will resume regular activities on a limited scale from next week maintaining the health guidelines.”

BDST: 1905 HRS, JULY 8, 2020

AP/SMS