Effective from Tuesday, Army officers have been granted executive magistrate powers for the next two months under a presidential order. This decision, communicated through the Ministry of Public Administration, enables commissioned officers of the Bangladesh Armed Forces to exercise judicial authority typically held by magistrates.

According to sources from the Cabinet Division, these officers must report to the district commissioners (DCs) of their respective districts. They are required to inform the DCs daily about their activities and the judicial actions they undertake. The detailed guidelines and instructions are expected to reach both the district commissioners and the officers with magistrate powers by today.

The Ministry of Public Administration has announced that this special authority is granted for a period of 60 days from the date of the order. The military officers are empowered to implement this magistrate authority nationwide in accordance with Section 12(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.

The officers with executive magistrate powers can adjudicate on various criminal offenses as per the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898. This includes offenses outlined in Sections 64, 65, 83, 84, 86, 95(2), 100, 105, 107, 109, 110, 126, 127, 128, 130, 133, and 142.

This move is aimed at addressing urgent legal matters and maintaining public order effectively, leveraging the military’s involvement in judicial processes during this period.