Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain has directed the courts of divisional special judges and special judges across the country to hear and dispose of bail petitions and very urgent applications related to criminal cases virtually.

The courts of divisional special judges and special judges will perform the judicial functions strictly following the health guidelines in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.

Md Golam Rabbani, registrar of the Supreme Court's High Court Division, issued a notification today saying that the notification will come into effect from April 25 and will continue till further order.

Currently, a magistrate is allowed to deal with the urgent cases under the district and sessions judge, metropolitan sessions judge, women and children repression prevention tribunal, children's court, chief judicial magistrate and chief metropolitan magistrate court in every district.

Earlier, the chief justice had decided to keep the normal judicial functions of courts closed from April 14 in line with the restrictions imposed by the government. 

Chief Justice, however, decided to virtually operate the judicial proceedings of the courts including the Appellate and High Court Divisions of the SC on a limited scale virtually for disposing of "very urgent" cases during this period.