Judicial proceedings to continue through virtual courts: Law Minister
The minister said the government has been making arrangements to train lawyers across the country in this regard in phases
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq said today that if the outbreak of coronavirus increases further, judicial proceedings should be maintained through virtual courts.
"The people's hopes must be met for independence and justice. And if the situation bodes well, the normal court will run normally," said the Law Minister.
Virtual courts will only be used in special circumstances or for special needs, he added.
The law minister was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function of the online training programme for lawyers on 'Skills Development in a Virtual Court System'.
The Ministry of Law has organised this training program as most of the lawyers do not have the right idea regarding technical and information technology about the virtual court system.
The Minister said that all offices around the world and in the country are moving towards digitalisation. If the judiciary does not move towards the virtual world, it will lag behind not only in the world but also in the country.
"We will face criticism and people will fail in placing their trust in us. Taking everything into consideration, the government has organised training on virtual courts," added the Law Minister.
The minister said the government has been making arrangements to train lawyers across the country in this regard in phases.
"Many courts around the world have been closed due to the coronavirus but Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government has been able to run the court through such an alternative arrangement," said Anisul Huq
The process of training for about a month and a half started with the training of lawyers of Brahmanbaria and Narsingdi districts.
Online training will be given to government law officers (GP-PPs) and to general lawyers in all districts of the country in phases till August 24.
The Ministry of Law has organised this training program as most of the lawyers do not have the right idea regarding technical and information technology about the virtual court system even though the virtual court has been introduced.
The training was organised with technical assistance from the German development agency GIZ under the overall supervision of the Law and Justice Department.
Law and Justice Division Secretary Md Golam Sarwar presided over the ceremony, Law and Justice Secretary. Golam Sarwar presided over the ceremony, Joint Secretary Umme Kulsum, Brahmanbaria District Judge. Shafiul Azam, Narsingdi District Judge Mostaq Ahmed, German development agency (GIZ) Bangladesh's 'Rule of Law' program chief Pramita Sengupta, Brahmanbaria and Narsingdi District Bar Association President Advocate Md. Shafiul Alam and Advocate Mizanur Rahman also spoke at the event.