Govt approves plan to replace RAB with SRB

The government has finalised the move to dissolve the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and establish a specialised unit under the police force named the Special Response Battalion (SRB).

The Cabinet on Monday gave both in-principle and final approval to the draft Special Response Battalion (SRB) Act, 2026, subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division.

The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, with the draft law presented by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Under the proposed law, RAB will be dissolved and the SRB will be established as a specialised unit within the police force.

The draft legislation also provides for the formation of a multi-stakeholder grievance redress committee to address complaints from citizens as well as internal grievances raised by members of the SRB.

It further proposes transferring RAB-related personnel, orders, powers, authority, benefits, funds, property, accounts, records and other relevant assets to the newly formed SRB.

Until new regulations are formulated, existing proceedings related to RAB will remain in force with necessary adaptations, according to the draft law.