Covid-19: 20 judges among 103 court officials infected

A total of 20 judges and  59 staff of subordinate courts and 24 officials of the Supreme Court were infected with coronavirus while working for the virtual court as of Saturday.

"Besides, another six judges were put in isolation with Covid-19 symptoms," said Md Saifur Rahman, special officer of Bangladesh Supreme Court.

He also informed that currently 15 coronavirus-infected judges of subordinate courts are undergoing treatment at home.

Office assistant Mohiuddin Mohon of Naogaon District Judge Court and Md Kausar, another official of Madaripur Judge Court died with Covid-19 symptoms on Friday and Thursday respectively, he added.

Meanwhile corona-infected Judge Ferdous Ahmed of Lalmonirhat Woman and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal is undergoing treatment at the Dhaka Combined Military Hospital (CMH).

Senior District Judge Begum Shamim Ahmed, Special Judge Court-8, Dhaka, is undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).

On the other hand, Joypurhat Woman and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Md Rustom Ali is undergoing treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

Bangladesh Supreme Court urged the concerned district judges to take necessary steps for providing treatment to judges and other court officials, said Saifur Rahman.

However, a five-member committee has been formed with Supreme Court Registrar as its head to keep constant communication over the infections of Supreme Court judges and officials.

Besides, another five-member committee has been formed to supervise the treatment of subordinate court officials.

As of Thursday, 39,202 people secured bail after their petitions were heard by virtual courts across the country.

Court operation remained suspended since March 26 but trial proceedings through videoconference began on May 11 during the general holidays to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Bangladesh has so far reported 1,08,714 coronavirus cases and 1,425 deaths.