Army gets executive magistracy power across country

The government has decided to give executive magistracy power to Bangladesh Army across the country.

The power has been conferred upon commissioned officers of the army through a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Tuesday.

The decision is set to come into effect immediately and will remain in effect for the next two months (60 days).

The gazette notification,  signed by Jeti Pru, senior assistant secretary of the ministry, has been issued following section 12 (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.

The army officials will be able to deal with Sections 64, 65, 83, 84, 86, 95 (2), 100, 105, 107, 109, 110, 126, 127, 128, 130, 133, and 142 of CrPC.

Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) director Lt Col Sami-Ud-Daula Chowdhury confirmed the development, adding, “We have given the order and will work accordingly.”

Previously, army was deployed across the country and a curfew was imposed on the night of July 19 in response to widespread clashes related to the quota reform movement.

Subsequently, on August 5, the Awami League-led government was overthrown by a student-led mass uprising. Three days later, on August 8, an interim government was formed under the leadership of Nobel laureate economist Dr Muhammad Yunus.

Despite the formation of the interim government, the army remains deployed across the country in the current situation.