Dhaka, August 7 (V7N) – In a significant move aimed at enhancing courtroom security and reducing logistical burdens, a Dhaka court has ordered that high-risk criminal defendants—including militants, political criminals, and those accused in high-profile cases—will now attend hearings virtually from prison rather than in person.

The decision was issued on Wednesday by Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mostafizur Rahman. Courtroom No. 28 of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s (CMM) Court has already been fully digitalized to support this virtual hearing system.

According to Mohammad Shamsuddoha Sumon, Additional Public Prosecutor (PP) of the CMM Court, this new procedure will eliminate the need to physically transport dangerous or high-profile suspects to the court premises. “From now on, militants, top-tier criminals, and other high-risk defendants will no longer be brought to court physically. Hearings will be conducted through virtual connections while they remain in custody,” he said. He added that this would significantly reduce both security risks and the expenditure of time and public funds.

The written order signed by the magistrate outlines that the CMM Court is currently handling numerous sensitive and high-profile cases, many of which involve intense public interest and national security concerns. Each day, large numbers of defendants are transported from high-security facilities such as Kashimpur High-Security Prison and Keraniganj Central Jail to appear in court, often creating considerable logistical and security challenges.

Some of the accused face charges relating to terrorism, organized crime, political violence, and corruption. Their presence in open court has, on occasion, posed significant security threats—not only to court staff and law enforcement but also to the general public. Additionally, strong public sentiment against some of these individuals has led to concerns about potential unrest in court premises during hearings.

The implementation of virtual hearings is expected to streamline judicial processes while maintaining the safety of all stakeholders involved. Authorities have confirmed that the initiative will be operational in the near future, marking a major step toward digital transformation in Bangladesh’s criminal justice system.

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