The Cabinet on Monday approved in principle and gave final approval, subject to vetting, to a draft law to establish a specialized unit named the “Special Response Battalion (SRB)” under Bangladesh Police, replacing the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
The approval came at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat, according to a press release.
The draft of the Special Response Battalion (SRB) Act, 2026 was approved by the Cabinet, subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division.
According to the draft law placed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the existing RAB will be abolished and the SRB will be established as a specialized unit under Bangladesh Police.
The proposed law also provides for the formation of a multi-stakeholder grievance redress committee to address complaints from citizens as well as internal grievances of SRB members.
It further provides for the transfer of RAB-related manpower, powers, authority, entitlements, funds, property, accounts, records and other assets to the SRB.
Until new rules are framed, the existing rules governing departmental proceedings concerning RAB will remain in force, with necessary adaptations, according to the draft law.
