Bill proposing creation of SRB replacing RAB placed in parliament

The government has proposed replacing the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) with a new specialised police unit, the Special Response Battalion (SRB), amid objections from opposition lawmakers who demanded a detailed parliamentary discussion before creating another elite force.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today (3 September) placed the Special Response Battalion (SRB) Bill, 2026, in parliament.

The bill seeks to repeal the legal provisions under which RAB was formed and establish the SRB as a specialised unit under the police.

Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam objected to the bill's introduction, saying RAB had become nationally and internationally controversial over allegations of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and secret detention during the previous government.

He said all political parties had pledged before the election to abolish RAB and questioned the move to establish what he described as another institution under a different name.

"RAB should be abolished. If a specialised unit is needed, there should first be a detailed discussion in parliament," Nahid said.

Opposition Leader Shafiqul Rahman also supported the abolition of RAB but called for further consideration before establishing a new agency.

In response, Home Minister Salahuddin said the government's electoral commitment was that there would be no organisation called RAB, and the bill was intended to fulfil that commitment while retaining the need for a specialised police unit.

He said the fact that a former Inspector General of Police, Benazir Ahmed, had been accused of wrongdoing could not be a reason to abolish the police force itself.

The minister said the proposed SRB would have stronger provisions for accountability and transparency than RAB. He urged opposition lawmakers to participate in the parliamentary committee's scrutiny of the bill and place their recommendations there.

The bill provides for the transfer of RAB's manpower, orders, powers, authority, facilities, funds, cash and bank deposits, liabilities, contracts, movable and immovable property, registers and records to the SRB.

Under the proposed law, the SRB would be a specialised unit under the police. It would be formed through the posting or deputation of police personnel, members of other disciplined forces and a prescribed number of officers and employees, according to government requirements.

The unit would have a flag, emblem and specified uniform prescribed by rules. Its director general would be a serving police officer not below the rank of additional inspector general of police.

The SRB would have powers to investigate criminal offences and conduct searches, arrests and seizures. It would also have its own detention facilities, malkhana and interrogation rooms.

The bill proposes a multi-member grievance redress committee to address complaints from citizens and internal grievances of unit members.

According to the statement of objects and reasons, the new unit is needed to assist the police and other law enforcement agencies in maintaining public security, preventing and suppressing terrorism, organised crime and other serious offences, and responding rapidly and effectively to special situations.

The proposed law also seeks to ensure the rule of law, human rights, transparency, effective oversight and accountability in the exercise of the specialised unit's powers.

The bill was eventually introduced by the home minister and sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Home Affairs for scrutiny and submission of its report within four working days.

APBN to get investigation powers

The home minister also placed the Armed Police Battalions (APBN) Bill, 2026, seeking to repeal the existing ordinance and introduce a new legal framework for the force.

The proposed law provides for APBN units under the police, including the Special Security and Protection Battalion, Hill Battalion and Airport Battalion, along with any other battalions prescribed by the government.

The bill would empower APBN to investigate criminal offences and, subject to the Code of Criminal Procedure and other existing laws, enter premises, conduct searches, seize property and make arrests.

It also sets out disciplinary and conduct rules for APBN members. They would generally be barred from membership of or direct or indirect involvement with any organisation, although membership of professional associations related to their professional development or the interests of APBN would be allowed.

APBN members would also be prohibited from publishing or helping to publish information or documents in electronic media or newspapers without prior permission from the competent authority.

The bill was also sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Home Affairs for scrutiny.