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Volume 4: Act No. V of 1898 to Act No. II of 1899

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Period Covered: 1898-1899
Historical Context: Major codification of criminal procedure and revenue law at the turn of the 20th century

Overview

This compact but crucial volume contains three foundational acts that revolutionized the colonial legal system. Despite covering only two years, these acts established frameworks that would govern criminal justice, postal services, and revenue collection for generations.

Historical Significance

  • Criminal Justice Reform: Complete overhaul of criminal procedure
  • Communication Infrastructure: Modern postal service establishment
  • Revenue Codification: Comprehensive stamp duty and revenue collection framework
  • Administrative Modernization: Systematic approach to governance and revenue
  • Legal Framework Completion: Final pieces of colonial legal system

Table of Acts (আইনসমূহের তালিকা)

আইনের নাম / Act Name আইন নম্বর বছর অবস্থা লিংক
The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 ⭐ V ১৮৯৮ সক্রিয় বিস্তারিত
The Post Office Act, 1898 ⭐ VI ১৮৯৮ সক্রিয় বিস্তারিত
The Stamp Act, 1899 ⭐ II ১৮৯৯ সক্রিয় বিস্তারিত

Key Legislation Highlights

⭐ Landmark Legislation

  • The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898: Revolutionary criminal justice framework
  • The Post Office Act, 1898: Modern postal service establishment
  • The Stamp Act, 1899: Comprehensive revenue collection system
  • Government monopoly over postal services
  • Foundation for modern communication regulation

The Stamp Act, 1899

  • Comprehensive revenue collection through stamps
  • Documentation and transaction taxation
  • Still fundamental to revenue collection in Bangladesh
  • Legal document validation system

⚖️ Criminal Justice Revolution

The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 established: - Comprehensive Framework: Complete procedural law for criminal courts - Rights of Accused: Protection of individual rights in criminal proceedings - Court Procedures: Systematic approach to criminal trials - Appeal System: Hierarchical review of criminal decisions - Modern Justice: Foundation of current criminal procedure

📮 Communication Infrastructure

The Post Office Act, 1898 provided: - Modern Postal Service: Systematic mail delivery system - Communication Network: Nationwide postal infrastructure - Government Service: State-controlled communication service - Commercial Support: Facilitation of trade and administration - Social Connection: Personal and business communication

💰 Revenue Collection Framework

The Stamp Act, 1899 introduced: - Documentary Revenue: Systematic collection through document stamps - Legal Validity: Stamp requirement for legal documents - Government Income: Significant source of state revenue - Commercial Regulation: Control over business transactions - Administrative Efficiency: Streamlined revenue collection

📊 Major Categories

  • ⚖️ Criminal Justice: 1 act (Criminal procedure)
  • 📮 Communication Services: 1 act (Post office)
  • 💰 Revenue & Finance: 1 act (Stamp duties)

📈 Statistical Overview

  • Total Acts: 3
  • Currently Active: 3 (100%)
  • Repealed: 0 (0%)
  • 1898 Acts: 2
  • 1899 Acts: 1

⚖️ Criminal Procedure Framework

Key innovations in criminal justice: - Systematic Investigation: Police investigation procedures - Court Hierarchy: Magistrate and sessions court system - Bail and Custody: Framework for pre-trial detention - Trial Procedures: Evidence presentation and witness examination - Appeal Rights: Review mechanism for criminal decisions

📮 Postal Service Development

Modern communication establishment: - Universal Service: Postal delivery throughout the territory - Government Control: State monopoly over postal services - Revenue Generation: Postal charges and government income - Infrastructure Development: Post office network expansion - Administrative Tool: Government communication facilitation

💡 Innovation and Reform

This volume introduced several innovations: - Complete Criminal Procedure: Systematic criminal justice framework - Modern Communication: Nationwide postal service - Efficient Revenue Collection: Documentary stamp system - Administrative Integration: Coordinated government services - Legal System Completion: Final colonial legal framework pieces

🌍 Impact and Legacy

These three acts had enormous impact: - Criminal Justice: Foundation of modern criminal procedure - Communication: Basis for postal and communication services - Revenue System: Model for government income generation - Administrative Efficiency: Systematic government operations - Legal Continuity: Framework continuing to influence Bangladesh

This pivotal volume completed the colonial legal framework with revolutionary criminal procedure, modern communication infrastructure, and systematic revenue collection that continue to form the backbone of Bangladesh's administrative and legal systems.