Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed on Sunday directed that the lawyers of the defendants must be allowed to attend court proceedings without any hindrance.
He also instructed the courts to appoint state legal aid panel lawyers to represent defendants who did not have their own legal counsel, said a Supreme Court notification.
The directive came in the wake of criticism by right activists and several newspapers over the blanket murder cases against the Awami League leaders, activists, aides and even professionals close to them and their remand in custody in such cases without giving their legal rights to defend after the fall of the AL government on August 5.
Providing legal assistance to accused individuals appearing in court is necessary for ensuring justice and upholding the rule of law, the chief justice emphasised.
