The ‘Special Response Battalion (SRB) Act, 2026, paving the way for the dissolution of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and formation of a new specialised unit under Bangladesh Police, was passed in parliament today (10 September).
The bill was passed by voice vote during the third session of the 13th Parliament, with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed presiding.
It was placed before parliament on 3 September and sent to the relevant parliamentary committee for scrutiny.
The committee’s report was placed before parliament on Wednesday, with opposition members submitting notes of dissent on seven issues concerning different provisions of the bill.
When Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed moved the bill for passage along with the committee’s recommendations, the Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman and other opposition members strongly opposed it.
In his speech, the opposition leader said dissolving RAB and forming a force of the same nature under a new name “would not meet the expectations” of the people or the international community.
He said the law should not be passed under any circumstances.
The main concerns raised by opposition members included the lack of accountability, the need for broader consultations and the preservation of evidence.
They said that without adequate national consultation and a strong, independent accountability mechanism, the SRB could ultimately become a new form of RAB.
They also called for extensive discussions with political parties, law enforcement agencies, judges, lawyers, human rights activists and families of victims.
Opposition members further demanded that separate lists be prepared and old RAB documents, evidence related to enforced disappearances and records be preserved before their transfer, so that no important evidence could be destroyed or altered.
Under Section 4 of the Act, the SRB will be a specialised unit under Bangladesh Police, with its headquarters in Dhaka. It will be formed through the posting or deputation of officers and employees from the police and other disciplined forces as required by the government.
The unit will be headed by a director general, who will be an officer of at least the rank of additional inspector general of police. The DG will exercise the administrative, financial and operational powers of the force.
Sections 10 and 12 of the Act empower the SRB to work to ensure public safety and combat terrorism, organised crime, cybercrime, enforced disappearances, land grabbing, human trafficking and drugs.
In making arrests, conducting searches and seizing evidence, the force will have to follow the Code of Criminal Procedure.
However, arrested persons and seized evidence cannot be kept in the custody of the SRB. They must be handed over immediately to the nearest police station authority in accordance with the law.
Sub-inspectors and officers above that rank will be able to conduct formal investigations into these offences under instructions from a court, the government or the police chief.
The Act contains provisions for disciplinary action and punishment for members of the force.
Negligence of duty, being intoxicated, illegal occupation, torture or use of force against a person in custody, incitement and disobeying orders from a superior officer will be treated as serious offences.
Depending on the evidence, punishments may include dismissal, demotion, compulsory retirement, forfeiture of salary and allowances, reprimand and fines.
A special “complaints redress committee” will also be formed to address personal grievances and internal dissatisfaction among members.
According to the bill, the changing social and geographical circumstances and the diverse forms of crime and emerging challenges created the need for a modern and efficient force capable of responding quickly and effectively.
It says the SRB has been established through the dissolution of RAB to fill that gap and create a transparent, professional and accountable modern specialised force.
Once the Act comes into effect, all previous provisions relating to RAB will be deemed repealed. All assets, bank accounts, funds and documents of the dissolved RAB will automatically vest in the SRB.