In a significant shift aimed at curbing arbitrary arrests under Section 54, Bangladesh’s interim government has introduced new legal requirements for law enforcement. Legal Advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul announced Thursday that police officers must now provide a written explanation when making arrests based on suspicion.

The new guidelines mandate identification disclosure during arrests, notifying family within 12 hours, ensuring medical treatment if injuries are present, and completing a detailed ‘Memorandum of Arrest’. Additionally, all agencies must report arrest details to the relevant police stations, which must also publicly display arrest lists. These reforms are being implemented in line with Supreme Court directives as part of broader judicial reforms.