The Cabinet has approved a draft law proposing expanded powers for the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) to strengthen its role in combating terrorism, human trafficking, drug trafficking and rape.
The approval was given at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat. The proposed Armed Police Battalion (APBn) Act 2026 will replace the ordinance introduced in 1979 under which the special police unit currently operates.
Under the proposed law, APBn would be authorised to investigate criminal offences and conduct related legal proceedings, subject to the Code of Criminal Procedure and other applicable laws. Provisions have also been proposed for establishing special and summary courts and procedures for conducting trials.
APBn will continue to operate under the Bangladesh Police and will be headed by an Additional Inspector General of Police.
The proposed law would also retain APBn’s existing responsibilities, including maintaining public security, providing security to VIPs and government-designated installations, and assisting other law-enforcement agencies.
The Home Ministry drafted the legislation with the stated aim of making APBn more people-oriented while ensuring the validity of actions taken under the existing ordinance.
The Cabinet gave final approval to the draft subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Law Ministry.
