ZCZC
JS-07
JS-BILL-PASS-COURT
JS passes “Use of Information Technology by Court Bill-2020” in amended form
DHAKA, July 8, 2020 (BSS) – ‘Use of Information Technology by Court Bill- 2020’ was passed in the parliament in an attempt to carry out trials through digitally in the wake of the ongoing crisis of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Law, Justice and Parliament Affairs Minister Anisul Huq moved the bill in the House which was unanimously passed by voice votes with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.
Piloting the bill, the minister said trial of a case is carried out in person through the presence of the parties to the case or their appointed wise lawyers and witnesses.
According to the proposed bill, the bill is intended to ensure the virtual presence of the parties during the judicial inquiry, petition, appeal hearing, testimony, argument, order or verdict of the case.
Notwithstanding any criminal procedure or civil procedure or any other law in force for the time being, any court may– in accordance with the practice guidelines (special or general) issued under section 5 of this Act– provide audio-video or any other electronic means by the litigants or their lawyers or other persons or witnesses.
Section 3 of the Act stated that a judicial inquiry or petition or trial, in any case can be made to ensure a virtual presence.
In Bangladesh, like the rest of the world, public gatherings were banned in all the courts and government and non-government institutions of the country for more than a month, to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic.
Even though public and private institutions, including courts, have been opened at present, more public gatherings have been discouraged, the bill further said.
To facilitate the continuation of judicial proceedings, the virtual presence of all parties to the trial or their lawyers or other persons or witnesses through other digital means including video conferencing must be ensured. Legislation needs to be enacted.
Earlier, the bill was placed in the parliament on June 23.
BSS/OG/SSS/1645 hrs