Accused can now surrender in lower courts

Staff Reporter :
People accused in criminal cases can surrender before criminal courts and tribunals across the country from August 8 to 12 while seeking bail in the cases against them, says a notification issued on Friday by the Supreme Court (SC) administration. The magistrates concerned will fix necessary action plans for maintaining physical distancing in the courtrooms during the proceedings in order to contain the coronavirus pandemic, according to the notification issued by SC Registrar General Md Ali Akbar. Only the accused and his/her lawyer will be allowed in the courtroom during the hearing and after completing one’s petition the judge will allow another one. The civil courts are allowed to hold hearing and to dispose of the cases regarding succession and guardianship in physical presence maintaining health guidelines. An instruction has been issues not to bring the accused in the court from the jail by prison van during the hearing of bail petitions in the lower courts and the tribunals. They will appear in the court through video conferencing from jail and the jail authority will arrange the conferencing.