The day is not far away when witnesses and defendants can make a court appearance through video conference in special circumstances.
Although the existing law does not allow the court proceedings to continue in the defendant’s absence, initiatives to adopt a new law is underway that will allow court appearances through video calls.
The idea for this initiative came through in 2014 when three JMB militants in Trishal, Mymensingh escaped on route to the court.
Sources related to the matter said that although the draft for a new law ‘Digital Evidence Act 2017’ has been finalised, the process of receiving feedback on it is not yet over.
“We have sent the draft of the Digital Evidence Act to a few places for feedback. We need more field study; hence the bill might be passed when the 11th Parliament goes into session,” Law Commission Chairman and former chief justice ABM Khairul Haque told Bangla Tribune.
According to the draft law, the prosecution, defendant, witness or legal counsel might take part in the court proceedings through video conferencing.
However, they have to provide their email, phone number, address along with national identification, specifying the reasons for them to resort to this method.
In special circumstances the court might allow them to submit the following documents: passport, verified birth certificate, driving license or a testimonial from a local elected representative.
“If the bill goes through high profile criminals will not be needed to bring to the court anymore,” Khairul said.
“Some defendants have to make appearances in more than one case. Under those circumstances, they will not need to be moved from one place to another. That can be done from the prison.
“This happens abroad as well and can speed things up,” the former chief justice said.
In July 2016, the Inspector General of prisons Syed Iftekhar Uddin said that militants and dangerous criminals will be tried through video conference from their cell to ensure that they don’t escape.