Bill extending the life of Speedy Trial up to 2024 passed

Dhaka, Jul 9 – The Law and Order Disruption (Speedy Trial) (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was passed in Parliament on Tuesday for extending its validity till 2024.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan moved the Bill and it was passed by voice vote.
The duration of the Law and Order Disruption (Speedy Trial) Act, 2002 expired in April 2019. So, its validity has been extended by five years more.
No change has been brought in the content of the law.
While talking about the Bill, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) MP Rumeen Farhana said the she suspected that the bill would be used to harass BNP leaders and activists.
She said the government is increasing the tenure of the bill aiming to secure its tenure as it wanted to misuse the law against the opposition activists.
BNP MP Harunur Rashid also opposed the extension of the bill. Their opinions were, however, rejected by the minister.
On June 25, the Home Minister placed the bill and it was sent to the respective parliamentary standing committee for further examination.
The committee was asked to submit its report within seven working days.
The duration of the Law and Order Disruption (Speedy Trial) Act, 2002 expired in April 2019.
On May 26, the cabinet approved the bill. – UNB