BSS
  11 Sep 2025, 23:44

Armed forces' magistracy powers again extended by 60 days 

DHAKA, Sept 11, 2025 (BSS) – The government has extended the executive magistracy powers of commissioned officers of the Bangladesh Army for an additional 60 days from tomorrow. 

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 September 12, according to a Public Administration ministry notification issued today.

Earlier, on July 14 this year, the magistracy powers of these officers were extended for two months, a term that ends today.

According to the new order, the extension will be effective from September 12 for the next 60 days. Officers of equivalent ranks serving in the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Bangladesh Coast Guard have also been brought under this directive.

The gazette stated that, in accordance with Sections 12(1) and 17 of The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, special executive magistracy powers are being conferred across the country for the specified period. 

Commissioned officers holding the rank of Captain and above will be empowered to act under several 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, it said.

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 September 17 to maintain law and order. 

From September  30, 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.