SC lawyers stage black flag procession demanding withdrawal of virtual courts order
The lawyer leaders further said the decision must be withdrawn by 27 April, failing which they would launch a sit-in programme starting 28 April.
A group of Supreme Court lawyers today (23 April) staged a black flag procession demanding the withdrawal of a decision to conduct the Appellate and High Court divisions virtually two days a week.
The protest took place at the Supreme Court premises in Dhaka, where the lawyer leaders further said the decision must be withdrawn by 27 April, failing which they would launch a sit-in programme starting 28 April.
Among those who addressed the gathering were senior lawyer Syed Mamun Mahbub, Advocate Mahbubur Rahman Khan, Barrister Moksadul Islam, Advocate Shah Ahmed Badal, Advocate Maksud Ullah, Advocate Anisur Rahman Biswas Raihan and Barrister Ashraful Islam, among others.
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Speakers termed the move to conduct court proceedings virtually as a "farce in the name of justice" and demanded its immediate cancellation.
According to a Supreme Court notice signed by Supreme Court Registrar General Mohammad Habibur Rahman Siddiquee, the Appellate and High Court divisions will operate virtually every Wednesday and Thursday.
The notice said the decision was taken in consideration of the current global energy situation, under the Information and Communication Technology Use in Courts Act, 2020 (Act No 11 of 2020), and the practice directions issued by the Supreme Court.
On other working days, court proceedings will continue through physical presence.
