The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The Advisory Council of the caretaker government yesterday approved extension of the duration of the Speedy Trial Act for next two years by way of approving an amendment to the tough law meant for effectively dealing with serious crimes.

A meeting of the advisory council, with Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in the chair, approved the Home Ministry proposal for extending the term of the law through endorsing the Law and Order Disrupting Offences (Speedy Trial) (Amendment) Ordinance 2008.

The Speedy Trial Act 2002 was formulated to ensure quick trial of various serious offenses like extortion, creating obstruction to transport movement, damage to vehicles, destruction of movable and immovable property, snatching, creating the reign of terror and anarchic situation, and tender hooliganism.

The law was enforced on April 10, 2002 primarily for two years. Later in 2004, the duration was extended for another two years and in 2006 given another two-year extension.

Before its validity expires on April 9, 2008, the caretaker government further renewed the act as it still felt the need of such a law.