The government has yet again extended the magistracy power given to commissioned officers of the armed forces with the rank of captain, its equivalent, or above by 60 days.
The government also extended the magistracy power to officers on deputation in Bangladesh Coast Guard and Border Guard Bangladesh.
The public administration ministry issued a circular in this regard today.
According to the notification, the executive magistrate has been empowered under sections 64, 65, 83, 84, 86, 95 (2), 100, 105, 107, 109, 110, 126, 127, 128, 130, 133 and 142 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.
The circular is set to be effective from January 14.
An officer with magistracy power has the power to arrest people and put them in custody. In self-defence and extreme need, the officer can open fire, according to the law.
As per section 12 (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, the government may confer upon any person all or any of the powers conferred on an executive magistrate.
The circular says their jurisdiction for exercising magistracy power will be all over Bangladesh.
As per the circular signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Jeti Pru, commissioned army officers will be able to deal with 64 and other sections of the CrPC
Section 64 gives an executive or judicial magistrate the power to order an arrest without a warrant when an offence is committed in the magistrate's presence.
Earlier on September 17, the government gave the power of magistracy to commissioned army officers for 60 days. It was extended for another 60 days from November 15.
The decision was made to improve law and order when police were largely absent on the streets since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5 following a mass uprising.