Lawyers have announced a programme to wear black badges on Thursday protesting against the Supreme Court’s decision to conduct judicial proceedings virtually.
Members of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Wednesday staged a demonstration in the court premises against virtual hearings. They also protested the restrictions on journalists entering the Appellate Division.
Chanting slogans such as “We don’t accept virtual courts” and “Actual, not virtual,” the march ended in front of the court building before a brief rally at the Bar Association premises.
Speakers including Syed Mamun Mahbub, Mahbubur Rahman Khan, Ashraful Islam, Maksud Ullah, Mostafa Taj, and Anisur Rahman Raihan demanded withdrawal of the decision barring journalists from the Appellate Division courtroom.
They alleged that although the government told parliament there was no energy crisis, the authorities had cited fuel shortages to justify virtual courts.
They also threatened continuous programmes, starting with black badge wearing Thursday, unless the decision is withdrawn by Wednesday.
On 20 April, the Supreme Court administration had decided to conduct virtual courts in both divisions on Wednesdays and Thursdays, citing the global energy situation.
Physical hearings will continue Sunday through Tuesday. The directive took effect 22 April and will remain until further notice.
Earlier, on Tuesday, lawyers held a human chain at the SCBA premises demanding physical hearings every working day and protesting the introduction of virtual courts.
