- UNRWA chief: Ceasefire is the start, not the solution |
- UNRWA chief: Ceasefire is the start, not the solution |
- Sudan war becomes more deadly: Ethnically motivated attacks up |
- Dhaka's RMG exports reach $38.48 bn in 2024: New markets up |
- Bangladesh’s GDP Growth to Decline to 4.1% in FY25: WB |
Bangladesh Extends Army's Magistracy Powers for 60 Days
Bangladesh army gets magistracy power for 60 more days
The Bangladesh government has extended the magistracy powers granted to commissioned officers of the Bangladesh Army for an additional 60 days, enhancing their authority to manage law and order across the country.
A notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on November 15 confirmed the extension, with the powers now set to remain in effect until January 14, 2025.
Under this extension, army officers holding the rank of captain or higher will continue to have special executive magistracy authority nationwide. The powers are also extended to military officers serving in the Bangladesh Coast Guard and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), who are working on deputation.
These magistracy powers, first granted on September 17, 2023, empower army personnel to address law and order issues by enforcing provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CRPC) 1898. The powers cover a wide range of offenses, including those under Sections 64, 65, 83, 84, 86, 95(2), 100, 105, 107, 109, 110, 126, 127, 128, 130, 133, and 142 of the CRPC. Executive magistrates can issue arrest orders, impose fines, and carry out other judicial functions.
Notably, the powers enable army officers to make arrests without the presence of an executive magistrate, as per Section 65 of the CRPC. Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Tapash Kanti Baul explained, “Previously, the army could not arrest someone without an executive magistrate, but now they can carry out arrests directly under these newly granted powers.”
This extension of authority reflects the government's ongoing strategy to strengthen law enforcement during a time of heightened security concerns.