Bangladesh’s cabinet has given in-principle and final approval to the draft Armed Police Battalion Act, 2026, which proposes granting the Armed Police Battalion, or APBn, authority to investigate and conduct proceedings in criminal cases. The decision was made at a cabinet meeting at the Secretariat on Monday, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The law would take effect after parliamentary passage.

According to a Cabinet Division press release, the draft modernises and replaces The Armed Police Battalions Ordinance, 1979, while retaining provisions safeguarding actions taken under that ordinance. The proposed Bangla-language law was prepared to make the force more people-friendly and has been posted on the Home Ministry website for public opinion.

The APBn would operate under the control and supervision of an additional inspector general of police. Its duties include protecting public safety, VIPs and government-declared installations; acting against terrorism, drugs, human trafficking, rape and crimes against humanity; and assisting other law-enforcement agencies. The draft also proposes special and summary courts and related trial procedures, subject to legal vetting.