New Special Response Battalion to replace RAB

The government has proposed replacing the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) with a new specialised force named the Special Response Battalion (SRB), publishing the draft of the “Special Response Battalion Act, 2026” for public feedback.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has published the draft law on its website and invited opinions from citizens before finalising the legislation.

According to ministry sources, the draft will be placed before the Cabinet after receiving opinions from different ministries and departments. If approved, it will be placed before Parliament.

Once the new law comes into effect, the existing legal framework governing RAB will be repealed, although some existing provisions will remain effective until new regulations are introduced.

The draft law proposes forming the SRB under the Bangladesh Police by providing a legal framework for a specialised unit similar to the existing RAB structure.

It outlines the force’s responsibilities, operational powers, authority to investigate cases, disciplinary measures for members and a separate mechanism for handling citizen complaints.

Under the proposed law, the SRB will operate as a specialised unit under the Bangladesh Police and will be led by a Director General holding the rank of Additional Inspector General of Police (Addl IGP).

The force will have its headquarters in Dhaka and may establish battalions, companies, platoons and sections anywhere in the country.

The draft allows the government to appoint members to the SRB on deputation from other disciplined forces, subject to relevant laws. The proposed minimum period for deputation is two years.

The proposed force will have its own logo, flag and uniform as determined by the government.

According to the draft, SRB members will have the authority to conduct searches, seize property and make arrests under the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The force will be authorised to conduct operations against narcotics, illegal arms and ammunition, explosives, terrorist activities, human trafficking, organised crime, cybercrime and offences affecting national security.

The SRB will also have the power to investigate criminal offences following orders from courts, the government or the Inspector General of Police.

Officers holding at least the rank of Sub-Inspector will lead such investigations, which must follow the Code of Criminal Procedure and Police Regulations.

The draft proposes establishing detention cells, evidence storage facilities and interrogation rooms for the force. Authorities will dispose of seized items according to court orders or government rules.

A key feature of the proposed law is the formation of a Grievance Redress Committee to strengthen accountability amid longstanding allegations against RAB over extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and human rights violations.

The committee will be chaired by an Additional Director General of the SRB and will include representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Police Headquarters, the SRB’s Legal and Media Directorate, and a government-nominated expert with at least 10 years of experience in human rights, law or judicial administration.

The committee will investigate complaints filed by citizens, form inquiry teams if necessary and recommend action when it finds preliminary evidence of wrongdoing.

It will also examine allegations of unlawful influence, harassment, irregularities in promotions and postings, disciplinary actions and other misconduct.

The draft law also details disciplinary measures for SRB members.

Officials may face departmental action for offences including substance abuse while on duty, disobeying superior officers, negligence, illegal collection of money, misuse of government weapons or equipment, assisting criminals and involvement in unlawful activities.

If allegations against a member are found to have preliminary evidence, authorities may send the person back to their parent force for legal action.

The draft also states that all RAB assets, personnel, funds, liabilities, ongoing cases, administrative activities and existing contracts will be transferred to the SRB once the new law takes effect.

Existing RAB regulations will remain effective with necessary adjustments until new rules are introduced.

Established on 26 March 2004 and formally beginning operations on 14 April that year, RAB has served as one of Bangladesh’s elite law enforcement agencies for more than two decades.

However, the force has faced domestic and international criticism over allegations of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and other human rights violations.

Although the proposed reform changes the force’s name and organisational structure, it retains most of RAB’s existing operational powers, including search, arrest and investigation authority, while introducing new accountability mechanisms.