The government has decided to extend the term of the Speedy Trial Act by five more years. The weekly cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday approved the final draft of the Law and Order Disrupting Crime (Speedy Trial) (Amendment) Act 2014.The act is poised to be extended until April 7, 2019, Cabinet Secretary Muhammad Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told reporters after the meeting.
The term of the Act was set to expire on April 7 this year.
After its promulgation in 2002 during the BNP-led coalition government, the act was effective for two years. After that, its term was extended several times.
In 2012, the Awami League-led coalition government extended the act’s term for two more years.
The home ministry had proposed for a four-year extension of the act’s term but the cabinet had extended its term by five more years considering its importance, Cabinet Secretary Musharraf Hossain said.
A bill would be soon placed in Parliament for final approval, he added. – bdnews24.com
