Now Air Force, Navy officers get magistracy power as well

The government has now empowered commissioned officers of the Air Force and Navy with executive magistrate authority to help maintain law and order.

This power was granted through a revised notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Sunday (29 September).

Earlier on 17 September, the government empowered only commissioned officers of the Bangladesh Army with executive magistrate authority. 

With this extension, commissioned officers from the Army, Air Force, and Navy can now function as executive magistrates. 

The previous notification stated that executive magistrate powers were initially granted to commissioned officers of the Bangladesh Army for a period of 60 days from the issuance date.

However, the commissioned officers of the armed forces – acting as executive magistrates – will operate under the supervision of district magistrates across the country. 

They will handle cases related to 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 new notification retains these provisions unchanged.

Under the Code of Criminal Procedure, executive magistrates have the authority to issue arrest orders and perform various judicial functions, including imposing fines and sentences.

Following the unrest surrounding the quota reform movement, the previous Awami League government deployed the army and declared a curfew nationwide on the night of 19 July. 

This action was followed by a mass uprising of students and the public, leading to the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August. 

An interim government was formed under Professor Muhammad Yunus just three days later, on 8 August.

Since 4 September, a joint forces operation has been ongoing throughout the country. 

In the wake of the government's fall, various regions and sectors have experienced chaos, with workers protesting and many resorting to forceful demands. 

There have been reports of teachers being compelled to resign in schools, colleges, and universities. In several areas, angry citizens have attacked detained suspects, while workers have vandalised factories and committed acts of arson. 

Attacks on religious sites, including the vandalism of shrines and temples, have also been reported. Despite government calls to curb these incidents, the unrest has not fully abated. 

To restore law and order, officials have said that executive magistrate powers have now been granted to commissioned officers from other branches of the armed forces, in addition to the Army.