DHAKA, March 22 (Reuters) - Bangladesh's army-backed interim government has imposed more stringent rules under emergency powers to deal with corruption and crime, suspending rights of the accused to seek bail during trial and investigation of cases.

More than 160 senior political figures, including the son of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, have been detained over the past three months to face charges of corruption and abuse of power in a nationwide campaign to clean up politics.

Under rules issued late on Wednesday, the government said the detainees will not be entitled to bail while the trial is on, which it promised to conclude in 45 days.

It also said powers had been given to the newly-constituted Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate, arrest or seize property of suspects without the permission of the government.

"Regardless of whatever is stated in the Criminal Procedure Code or any other law, an accused under the Emergency Powers Ordinance will not be released on bail during the inquiry, investigation and trial of the case against that person," the home ministry said in a statement.

Bangladesh has been under a state of emergency since Jan. 11, imposed in the wake of countrywide political violence that killed 45 people and injured hundreds. An election scheduled for January was called off.

The country's interim government headed by former central bank chief Fakhruddin Ahmed said no one involved in corruption would be spared as he tried to create conditions for a free and credible election.

The government has promised to conduct speedy trials and under the latest amendment a court or tribunal will have to dispose a case filed under the Emergency Powers Rules within 45 days.

However, the court will get an additional 15 days' time if it cites specific reasons for the delay.

The court must conduct the trials without recess, but it may adjourn the case for three days "if it is not satisfied with the conduct of the trial in the interest of justice."

Crimes covered under the emergency rules include possession of illegal weapons and explosives, sabotage, hoarding, adulteration of food or medicine, forgery of currency or government stamps, black-marketing, smuggling and drugs, or any other crimes considered a threat to the security of the state, the people and the economy.

The home ministry statement further said that an investigation officer can seize documents, or freeze accounts with any financial institution in the interest of the investigation, but only with prior permission of the Bangladesh Bank or the institution concerned.

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