Chief Justice: Safety of life is first priority

Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain on Sunday said, the way people are getting infected by coronavirus, proceedings of all the courts cannot be resumed. 

Moreover, proceedings of all the courts should have been suspended in this situation, he added. 

He said that life and livelihood both are essential and important, but during this ongoing difficult time of pandemic, safety of life is the first priority.

The chief justice said these while Supreme Court Bar Association Secretary Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal virtually joined the hearing of the Appellate Division and requested him (CJ) to increase the number of High Court virtual benches.

“Four virtual benches are dealing with emergency matters at the High Court at the moment. Month of Ramadan is going on, Eid is coming. At this stage, if you increase the number of virtual benches, the lawyers would get benefitted,” Barrister Kazal said.

Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain in reply said: "We [judges] oo came from the bar (SCBA) and can realize the problems of the lawyers.

“If we want to increase the number of virtual benches, many staff will have to come to court physically, leaving them at risk of getting infected. Before taking any decision, I consult the matter with my colleague judges at the Supreme Court. We have cut down the number of benches considering the wellbeing of judges, lawyers and justice seekers,” he added.