The act was scheduled to expire on April 9 this year.

An emergency meeting of the parliamentary standing committee on home ministry held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban last night scrutinised the bill. The committee is likely to submit the report of the bill to the parliament today. The bill will be passed in the current session of the parliament.

The amendment bill rationalised that as many criminal cases including those of extortion and snatching were disposed quickly under the Speedy Trial Act, garnering faith of the commoners on justice, it is necessary to extend the duration of the applicability of the act to keep on succeeding in curbing crimes.

Sources, however, pointed out that the main rationale behind extending the term of the bill is to use the law in quelling the agitation programmes taken by the opposition.

Opposition political parties including the main opposition Awami League has long been accusing the government of using the Speedy Trail Act to harass the political opponents.

Earlier, on February 23 a cabinet meeting with Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in the chair approved the extension proposal of the Speedy Trial Act 2002 for two more years through an amendment.

The law provides for a special court to try offenders in a period ranging from 30 to 60 days. It suggests rigorous imprisonment of two to five years for crimes disrupting social peace.

Offences under the law include hindrance to normal air, rail, road and river traffic movement, vandalism on transport and public and private property, mugging, illicit toll collection, violence in public places, obstruction to tender bidding and works of government officers and employees and their relatives.