Bangladesh chief justice Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury on Sunday suspended virtual hearings in both the High Court Division and the Appellate Division on Wednesdays and Thursdays until further notice.

A notification issued by acting Supreme Court registrar general Muhammad Nurul Amin Biplob said the order takes immediate effect.

The notification also applies to chamber judges’ courts.

The decision came just four days after the Supreme Court introduced virtual proceedings for these two days starting April 22.

The measure covered most of the 63 High Court benches, the Appellate Division, and two chamber courts.

The virtual system was introduced as an austerity move to save power and fuel amid rising energy costs.

At the time, people were facing long queues for fuel. The government later raised fuel prices significantly, including diesel, octane, petrol, and kerosene.

Meanwhile, a group of lawyers opposed the move. On April 23, they gave an ultimatum demanding its withdrawal by April 28.

About 100 lawyers held a rally and brought out a black-flag procession on the Supreme Court premises.

Lawyer Syed Mamun Mahbub, one of the organiser of the movement said the virtual system failed to reduce crowding.

‘Even after virtual hearings began, lawyers and litigants continued to come to court,’ he said.

He added that the judiciary cannot operate like a commercial establishment with limited hours, stressing that courts must function under all circumstances.