Government Moves to Dissolve RAB and Form ‘SRB’, Draft Law Published

According to the draft, the SRB will be formed as a specialized unit under the Bangladesh Police. The force will be headed by a Director General with the rank of Additional Inspector General of Police. Battalions, companies, platoons, and sections can be formed as required, and the headquarters will be located in Dhaka. There will also be provisions for establishing units anywhere in the country.

Mohammad Abu Naeem, Additional Secretary (Police Branch) of the Ministry of Home Affairs, said that the draft law has been prepared with the aim of forming the SRB to replace RAB. After it is finalized, the necessary administrative procedures will be completed.

Ministry sources said that after seeking opinions from various ministries and departments, the draft will be placed before the Cabinet. Upon approval, it will be tabled in the National Parliament. Once the new law becomes effective, the existing legal framework of RAB will be dissolved. However, until the new regulations are formulated, some previous provisions will remain in effect where necessary.

The draft law empowers the SRB to conduct operations to combat drugs, arms, explosives, human trafficking, organized crime, cybercrime, and crimes against state security. Following the Code of Criminal Procedure, the force will also be able to conduct searches, seizures, arrests, and investigations under the directives of the court, government, or the Inspector General of Police.

The draft also includes provisions for the force to have detention cells, warehouses, and interrogation rooms. Investigation activities will be conducted in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure and Police Regulations.

In the context of various allegations raised against RAB in the past, the draft law proposes the formation of a Complaint Redressal Committee. The committee will be headed by an Additional Director General of the SRB. It will include representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Police Headquarters, the Legal and Media Branch, and a government-nominated member with at least 10 years of experience in human rights, law, or the administration of justice.

This committee will be able to investigate complaints from citizens, form inquiry teams if necessary, and, upon finding prima facie evidence, recommend action to the concerned authorities. Additionally, it will review complaints regarding illegal influence, harassment, promotions, postings, or disciplinary issues in the force's activities.

The draft law includes detailed codes of conduct and discipline for members. Provisions have been made for departmental and legal action if allegations of negligence of duty, drug addiction, disobedience to senior officers, illegal collection of money, misuse of government arms, aiding criminals to escape, or involvement in illegal activities are proven.

Furthermore, once the new law comes into effect, all manpower, assets, funds, liabilities, ongoing cases, administrative activities, and existing contracts of RAB will be transferred under the SRB.

Notably, RAB was formed on March 26, 2004, and officially began operations on April 14 of the same year. While the force has played a significant role in maintaining law and order over the past two decades, it has faced domestic and international criticism over allegations of extrajudicial killings, disappearances, and human rights violations. In that context, the current government has taken the initiative to form a specialized force with a new structure and name.