The Parliament on Wednesday passed a bill to repeal the “Father of the Nation Family Members’ Security Act, 2009,” effectively withdrawing the special state security and other facilities previously allocated to members of the Sheikh family.
The repeal bill was passed by voice vote on the 11th day of the 13th National Parliament session, presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed introduced the bill in the House, which replaces an ordinance earlier issued during the tenure of interim government.
According to the statement of objects and reasons, the original Act was gazetted on 15 October 2009, followed by a notification on 25 May 2015, to provide special security and benefits to the family members.
The statement further noted that the law was enacted solely to grant special state privileges to a single family, which constituted “clear discrimination.”
To eliminate this disparity, the interim government took a policy decision to repeal the law. Following presidential approval, the “Father of the Nation’s Family Members’ Security (Repeal) Ordinance, 2024” was issued on 9 September 2024.
That ordinance has now been passed as a permanent bill by the parliament.
The repealed law, enacted during the Awami League government, ensured lifelong special security, state residences, and various other facilities for the two surviving daughters of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and their children.
The passing of this bill on Wednesday marks the official abolition of those legal obligations and privileges.
