The government has unveiled a draft law proposing the dissolution of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the formation of a new specialised force, the Special Response Battalion (SRB), under the Bangladesh Police.
The draft Special Response Battalion (SRB) Act, 2026 has been published on the Ministry of Home Affairs’ website for public consultation. Once the consultation process is completed, the draft will be placed before the Cabinet and later Parliament for approval before it becomes law.
Additional Secretary (Police Wing) of the Ministry of Home Affairs Mohammad Abu Nayeem said the draft had been prepared to establish the SRB in place of RAB.
“The draft law has been prepared to form the SRB as RAB’s successor. Once it is finalised, the necessary administrative steps will be taken,” he said.
According to ministry officials, the draft will be circulated among relevant ministries and divisions after the public consultation period. Following inter-ministerial review, it will be submitted to the Cabinet and then to Parliament for enactment.
The proposed legislation states that once the new law comes into force, the existing legal framework governing RAB will be repealed.
However, existing provisions will remain in effect until new rules are framed under the law. The SRB will have its own official emblem, flag and uniform.
Under the draft, the SRB will operate as a specialised unit under the Bangladesh Police and will be headed by a Director General with the rank of Additional Inspector General of Police (Additional IGP).
Its headquarters will be located in Dhaka, although battalions, companies, platoons and sections may be established anywhere in the country as required.
The proposed force will be staffed not only by police personnel but also by members of other disciplined forces on deputation, subject to relevant laws. The minimum deputation period has been proposed at two years.
The draft law empowers SRB personnel to conduct searches, seizures and arrests in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure.
The force will be authorised to carry out operations involving narcotics, illegal arms and ammunition, explosives, terrorist hideouts, human trafficking, organised crime, cybercrime and offences against national security.
It also allows the SRB to investigate criminal offences on the instructions of a court, the government or the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Investigations must be conducted by officers of at least the rank of sub-inspector and in compliance with the Code of Criminal Procedure and Police Regulations.
To support investigations, the proposed law provides for detention facilities, evidence storage rooms and interrogation rooms. Seized property will be disposed of in accordance with court orders or government rules.
The draft further includes provisions for departmental and legal action against SRB members found guilty of negligence, bribery, drug abuse, misuse of firearms or involvement in criminal offences.
If enacted, all RAB personnel, assets, funds, ongoing cases and administrative functions will be transferred to the SRB.
The government says the restructuring is intended to strengthen institutional accountability, improve discipline and create a more transparent legal framework for the specialised force.
