CJ calls meeting with SC judges to discuss operation of judiciary

Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain will hold a meeting with Supreme Court judges today to decide about the judiciary, as its functions have remained halted since March 26 due to ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

"The chief justice is observing the overall situation of the judiciary and discussing this issue with Supreme Court judges. Some lawyers have sent few applications to the chief justice for running court functions to a short scale during the ongoing closure. All the issues may be discussed at the meeting tomorrow (today)," Supreme Court Spokesman Md Saifur Rahman told The Daily Star yesterday.

He said the court is a crowded place where judges, lawyers,  litigants, journalists and court staff gather during its proceedings.

"If court functions are allowed in this situation, public health will be put at risk. The chief justice is thinking of all relevant aspects," Saifur said.

The justice in the meeting with the Supreme Court judges may decide on the extension of court holiday as the government has extended the closure of the offices till May 5, he added.              

The SC spokesman added that some magistrates are working at subordinate  courts across the country in line with instruction from the chief justice   in order to deal with urgent matters including bail petitions.

Contacted, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam  told The Daily Star saving lives of people should be the  first priority.

Then the court functions may be resumed and later on the loss incurred by lawyers and litigants   and its recovery will be handled,  he said.

The attorney general also said the lockdown must be strictly maintained in the country like that of Germany in order to conquer the coronavirus.

Supreme Court Bar Association President AM Amin Uddin told this newspaper that the lawyers cannot run their profession and people cannot go to courts to seek justice due to the ongoing closure,  a negative impact has been made on the judiciary.

There is nothing much to do in this situation for the recovery of the loss as coronavirus outbreak is a global problem, Advocate Amin Uddin said.

The SCBA president said he requested the chief justice over phone to run the Supreme Court functions at a shorter scope during the ongoing shutdown in order to give some relief to lawyers and justice seekers.

"I hope the chief justice will consider my request, " he said.