Dhaka: The government has decided to extend the executive magistracy powers of commissioned officers of the Bangladesh Army for an additional 60 days starting from tomorrow. Commissioned officers, holding the rank of captain and above, have been granted these special executive magistrate powers across the country from September 12, as per a notification issued by the Public Administration ministry today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the magistracy powers of these officers were previously extended for a two-month period on July 14, a term that concludes today. The new order stipulates that this extension will be effective from September 12 for the next 60 days. This directive also includes officers of equivalent ranks serving in the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Bangladesh Coast Guard.
The gazette clarified that, in accordance with Sections 12(1) and 17 of The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, these special executive magistracy powers are being conferred across the country for the specified period. Officers holding the rank of Captain and above will be empowered to act under various sections of the Code of Criminal Procedure, including Sections 64, 65, 83, 84, 86, 95(2), 100, 105, 107, 109, 110, 126, 127, 128, 130, 133, and 142, to control and prevent criminal activities nationwide.
Following the July 2024 Uprising, which resulted in the ousting of the Awami League regime and the establishment of an interim government, the authorities initially granted executive magistrate powers to commissioned army officers for 60 days starting September 17 to maintain law and order. From September 30, 2024, officers of the Navy and Air Force were also endowed with these powers. Since then, the government has been progressively extending the tenure of executive magistracy for commissioned army officers in 60-day increments.