The government has once again extended the magistracy power granted to commissioned officers of the armed forces with the rank of captain, its equivalent, or above for another 60 days.

Additionally, the magistracy power has been extended to officers on deputation in the Bangladesh Coast Guard and Border Guard Bangladesh, according to a circular issued by the public administration ministry yesterday.

This marks the fourth time the government has extended the magistracy power for commissioned officers of the armed forces at the rank of captain or higher.

According to the notification, executive magistrates have been empowered under 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 circular is set to take effect immediately.

An officer with magistracy power has the authority to arrest individuals and place them in custody. In cases of self-defence and extreme necessity, the officer can also open fire, as per the law.

Under section 12 (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, the government has the authority to confer all or any executive magistracy powers upon any person. The circular states that commissioned army officers with magistracy power will have jurisdiction across Bangladesh.

As per the circular signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Jeti Pru, commissioned army officers will be able to exercise authority under section 64 and other provisions of the CrPC.

The Section 64 grants an executive or judicial magistrate the power to order an arrest without a warrant if an offence is committed in their presence.

The decision was made to improve law and order at a time when police presence has significantly decreased on the streets following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5, after a mass uprising.