Published : 15 Aug 2026, 04:15 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:33 AM
A draft law aimed at overhauling the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) into a new entity named the Special Response Battalion (SRB) has drawn negligible public response despite being open for feedback.
The home ministry published the draft, titled the Special Response Battalion (SRB) Act, 2026, on its website on Aug 4, inviting comments through an email address. By Thursday, only three people had responded in 10 days.
A home ministry official said the three submissions covered almost every aspect of the draft, with suggestions to add some provisions and remove others.
The ministry's Law Division is working on the draft.
Additional Secretary Mohammad Mofizur Rahman said the government would review public feedback as the legislative process progressed. After the draft is finalised, the opinions of several ministries and departments would be sought before it is placed before the cabinet. If approved, it would then be tabled in parliament.
He could not specify how long the public consultation would remain open, saying comments could be accepted until the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the home ministry asks for the process to end.
RAB to become SRB
RAB was formed on Mar 26, 2004, under the BNP-Jamaat-e-Islami coalition government.
While the force has been credited with successes in maintaining law and order, it has also faced allegations of extrajudicial killings and human rights violations.
The United States imposed sanctions on RAB and seven of its officials on Dec 10, 2021, over serious human rights abuses.
After the July Uprising, a police administration reform committee formed by the BNP recommended RAB's abolition on Dec 10, 2024.
The committee said RAB had been widely criticised at home and abroad and accused by human rights groups, the United Nations, most political parties and civil society figures of involvement in disappearances, killings, torture and repression.
It recommended transferring RAB's responsibilities to the Armed Police Battalion and regular police.
The BNP government, however, now plans to retain the specialised force while restructuring its organisation and remit under the name SRB.
What the Draft Law Proposes
The draft would abolish RAB, formed under the Armed Police Battalions Ordinance, 1979, and establish SRB as a specialised police unit.
Its headquarters would remain in Dhaka, with units allowed anywhere in Bangladesh and an additional inspector general-ranked director general at the helm.
Battalions, companies, platoons and sections could be formed as required. Members could be deputed from police and other disciplined forces, including defence personnel, with a proposed minimum two-year deputation.
Under the Code of Criminal Procedure, SRB would have powers to search, seize and arrest in specified cases and conduct operations involving drugs, weapons, ammunition, explosives, terrorist hideouts, human trafficking, organised crime, cybercrime and offences against national security.
The draft also proposes detention cells, storage facilities and interrogation rooms for investigations.
A complaints redress committee would investigate allegations against SRB members. It would include an SRB additional director general, a home ministry representative, an assistant inspector general from the police headquarters, SRB's director for legal and media affairs, and a government-nominated person with at least 10 years' experience in human rights, law or judicial administration.
If an allegation is initially found to have merit, the member concerned could be returned to their parent force and face legal action.
