RAB set to be abolished, SRB to take its place

The Cabinet on Monday approved the draft law to establish a specialised unit called the Special Response Battalion (SRB) under Bangladesh Police, replacing the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

The approval was given at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat, according to a press release.

The draft Special Response Battalion (SRB) Act, 2026 was approved in principle and given final approval, subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division.

Under the draft law, the existing RAB will be abolished and the SRB will be established as a specialised unit of Bangladesh Police.

The proposed law also provides for a multi-stakeholder grievance redress committee to address complaints from members of the public as well as internal grievances raised by SRB personnel.

It further provides for the transfer of RAB personnel, powers, authority, benefits, funds, property, accounts, records and other assets to the SRB.

Until new rules are framed, the existing rules governing departmental proceedings against RAB personnel will remain in force, with necessary adaptations, according to the draft law.

The draft is now subject to legal vetting before the government takes the next steps toward enacting the legislation.