CJ forms two more virtual HC benches

Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain yesterday constituted two more High Court benches for virtually hearing and disposing of urgent cases during the ongoing restrictions due to Covid-19 pandemic.

With these two, a total of six HC benches will now perform judicial functions till further order, Supreme Court Spokesman Md Saifur Rahman told The Daily Star.

The two new HC benches are of Justice Mamnoon Rahman and Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman; and Justice Sheikh Md Zakir Hossain and Justice Khizir Hayat.

Earlier on April 11, the chief justice formed some benches of the Appellate and High Court Divisions of the Supreme Court for virtually hearing and disposing of urgent cases to deal with the changed situation amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Two separate notifications were issued to this effect on April 11.

Now, a full bench of the Appellate Division led by the chief justice and its chamber judge's bench are running judicial functions through using information technology.

Some Supreme Court lawyers have been requesting the chief justice to increase the number of HC benches for the interest of lawyers and litigants.

Yesterday, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) submitted an application to the chief justice's office, requesting him to increase the number of virtual HC benches.

The application, signed by SCBA Secretary Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal, said the lawyers have been facing financial crisis as they cannot run their profession due to shortage of High Court benches.

A full bench and chamber judge of the Appellate Division are virtually functioning for five days every week.

Lawyers have been habituated to virtually move cases for the last one year.

Currently, Ramadan is going and Eid-ul-Fitr is ahead. Only four virtual HC benches are now hearing and disposing of cases.

If the number of HC benches is increased, the lawyers can move cases and would be benefited, the SCBA said in the application.

Earlier on Sunday during the proceedings of the Appellate Division, the SCBA secretary had requested the chief justice to increase the number of virtual HC benches from four to 10.

On that day, Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain refused to increase the number of High Court benches, saying that safety of life is the first priority in this difficult period of coronavirus pandemic.