A total of 4,960 people secured bail after their petitions were heard by virtual courts across the country in three days from June 28 to July 2.Hearing on 10,866 bail petitions were held virtually during the period, said Md Saifur Rahman, special officer of Bangladesh Supreme Court on Friday.
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.
A total of 49,750 accused, including 608 children, secured bail from virtual courts since May 11 while the courts heard 95,523 bail petitions.
Earlier on May 10, the High Court formed three benches for hearing urgent cases virtually and directed the subordinate courts concerned to hear cases related to emergency bail.
An ordinance was promulgated that day allowing courts to run trial proceedings through videoconference and other digital facilities. President Abdul Hamid promulgated the ordinance.
Later, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs issued a gazette notification, saying that it will take immediate effect.
The Cabinet on May 7 cleared the draft of an ordinance to pave the way for courts to run trial proceedings through videoconference and other digital means, reports UNB.
