Judicial proceedings have commenced in both the Appellate Division and the High Court Division of the Supreme Court through virtual methods for two days a week starting Wednesday, 22 April. However, general lawyers of the Supreme Court have threatened a tougher movement after staging protest processions, rallies, and human chains for two consecutive days, demanding the withdrawal of this decision.
As part of the preparations, they have called for a protest procession and rally within the Supreme Court premises on Thursday, 23 April. This call is also being reflected through various activities on social media.
In light of the current global situation, the decision to conduct judicial proceedings virtually for two days a week—aimed at conserving fuel and electricity—prompted a large number of lawyers to stage human chains, protest marches, and rallies in front of the Supreme Court Bar Association building premises on Tuesday, 21 April. Lawyers continued their demonstrations on Wednesday as part of various programmes. As a continuation, another protest rally and procession is scheduled for today, Thursday.
Meanwhile, general lawyers have requested discussions with the Chief Justice to reconsider the decision to conduct court proceedings through an online (virtual) system. In this regard, they also held talks with the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Barrister A M Mahbub Uddin Khokon. Subsequently, he informed the Registrar General of the Supreme Court about the lawyers’ movement. According to the lawyers, Registrar General Muhammad Abubakkar Siddiqi has assured the association that the matter will be communicated to the Chief Justice. It now remains to be seen whether the Supreme Court will step back from conducting case proceedings through the online or virtual system.
Earlier, a notice issued on 19 April stated that judicial proceedings would be conducted online (virtually) two days a week—Wednesday and Thursday. The notice said that, considering the global economic situation and with the aim of ensuring fuel and electricity savings, the High Court Division has undertaken the initiative to operate virtual courts two days a week by using information technology in accordance with the Information and Communication Technology Use Act 2020 and the Practice Direction issued by the High Court Division.
Later, on 21 April, it was announced that the Supreme Court’s judicial proceedings would be conducted virtually. In continuation of this, both the Appellate Division and the High Court Division began their operations online (virtually) from Wednesday.
In protest against conducting courts online, general lawyers of the Supreme Court called for demonstrations and human chains. On Tuesday—the day before the launch of virtual court activities—and on Wednesday at noon, the day of its commencement, they first organized human chains and protest processions outside the association building premises.
Speakers at the time stated that previously, such decisions were taken after discussions with lawyer leaders and after seeking their opinions. However, for the first time, no consultation with lawyers was held before introducing the virtual court system.
DBTech/JN/EK/OR
