Armed forces' magistracy powers again extended by 60 days from tomorrow

The government has extended the executive magistracy powers of commissioned officers of the Bangladesh Army for an additional 60 days from tomorrow.

According to a Ministry of Public Administration notification on Thursday (11 September), commissioned officers of the Bangladesh Army holding the rank of captain and above have been granted special executive magistrate powers across the country for 60 days starting from 12 September. 

Army officers serving in the Coast Guard and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will also be able to exercise executive magistrate powers during this period.

Under Section 17 of the Criminal Procedure Code of 1898, army officers will exercise magistracy powers, primarily including the authority to arrest absconding and other criminals.

Following the 2024 July Uprising that led to the ouster of the Awami League regime and formation of an interim government, the authorities initially granted executive magistrate powers to commissioned army officers for 60 days on 17 September to maintain law and order. 

From 30 September 2024, officers of the Navy and Air Force were also given these powers. 

Since then, the government has been gradually extending the tenure of executive magistracy for commissioned army officers in 60-day increments.