Dhaka launches its first digital courtroom to handle high-risk cases remotely via video link, raising both hopes for security and concerns for legal transparency.
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| To reduce transport risks and public unrest, Dhaka’s CMM Court opens a digital courtroom for remote hearings of high-risk inmates, using Zoom video tech. Symbolic Image: CH |
Dhaka, Bangladesh – August 7, 2025:
In a major shift toward digitizing the justice system, Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrates (CMM) Court has introduced a digital courtroom to conduct remote hearings for high-risk suspects. The move aims to address persistent security challenges associated with physically transporting inmates facing charges like terrorism, militancy, and high-level corruption.
Designated by Magistrate Mohammad Mustafizur Rahman under an official order on Wednesday, Courtroom No. 28 has now been equipped to function entirely via video conferencing platforms, primarily Zoom. The decision comes amid growing concerns over the security risks and public disruptions caused by the daily transfer of prisoners from high-security facilities such as Kashimpur and Keraniganj to the courthouse.
“These kinds of situations often overwhelm the law-enforcing agencies,” the court order noted, citing frequent tensions outside court premises, especially in cases involving controversial or high-profile defendants. The digital courtroom, it stated, is in line with existing legal provisions that allow for electronic hearings and testimonies in certain cases.
Authorities argue that the digital setup will not only reduce logistical strain but also mitigate threats to public safety. However, legal experts and rights advocates have raised concerns over the potential impact on transparency, due process, and equitable access to justice.
Remote participation may limit a defendant’s ability to consult freely with legal counsel or to influence proceedings through in-person presence—a key consideration in cases involving witness credibility, cross-examination, or judicial discretion.
While virtual courtrooms were temporarily adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic, this marks the first permanent implementation aimed specifically at sensitive criminal cases in Bangladesh. The Ministry of Law has previously supported digitization efforts, but critics say a more robust legal framework and oversight mechanism are essential to prevent misuse or errors.
State prosecutor Shamsud Doha Sumon confirmed that prison authorities and other key stakeholders have been instructed to cooperate with the initiative. Inmates involved in sensitive trials will now appear virtually from within prison facilities, streamlining what has traditionally been a security-heavy operation.
If successful, the digital courtroom could serve as a model for other courts in the region—and potentially across South Asia—where managing high-risk defendants remains a challenge.
Still, much depends on execution: stable technology, fair access for defense teams, and proper judicial oversight will be critical to ensuring that digital justice remains real justice.