In a significant development, armed forces personnel have been granted judicial powers across the country, allowing commissioned officers from the Army, Air Force, and Navy to serve as executive magistrates.
This information was confirmed on Monday, September 30, following the issuance of a relevant notification by the Ministry of Public Administration on Sunday. The notification, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Jeti Pru of the Ministry, extends this authority to commissioned officers of the armed forces, specifically captains and officers of equivalent rank and above. They will retain these powers for a period of 60 days starting from the date of the notification.
According to the notification, commissioned officers of the Army have been granted special executive magistrate powers in accordance with Sections 12(1) and 17 of the Criminal Procedure Code of 1898. The document further states that Army officers will be able to exercise their magistracy powers in relation to crimes committed under various sections of the Criminal Procedure Code, including Sections 64, 65, 83, 84, 95(2), 100, 105, 107, 109, 110, 126, 127, 128, 130, 133, and 142.
This move follows a previous notification issued on September 17, which granted judicial powers to the Army by order of the President.
