Bangladesh interim govt grants magisterial powers to the Army for 2 months

The interim government of Bangladesh, led by Mohammad Yunus, granted magisterial powers to the Army on Tuesday for the next two months to enhance law and order in the country.

A notification from the Ministry of Public Administration stated that these powers would be conferred upon commissioned officers of the Army and would remain effective for 60 days.

According to a report in the Dhaka Tribune, Sami Ud Dowla Chowdhury, the director of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), indicated that the Army would operate in accordance with government directives.

The order grants the Army magistracy authority under several sections of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), specifically sections 64, 65, 83, 84, 95(2), 100, 105, 107, 109, 110, 126, 127, 128, 130, 133, and 142. This allows Army officers to exercise their powers in cases involving these provisions.

These sections cover various powers, including issuing orders for arrest and detention, executing arrest warrants, issuing search warrants, collecting bonds for misdemeanours and petty offences, dispersing unlawful assemblies, and removing encroachments on property and business establishments.

In an interview with the Daily Star newspaper, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said, “We are witnessing subversive acts and disrupted stability in several places, especially in the industrial areas across the country. Given the situation, army personnel have been given magistracy power.”

He expressed confidence that the army personnel would not misuse this authority, adding that once the situation improves, there will no longer be a need for them to hold magistracy power.

In August, Bangladesh plunged into uncertainty after weeks of violent street protests over job quota forced Sheikh Hasina to quit as prime minister and flee.

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