In a major legal move, the Advisory Council of Bangladesh has approved a proposal to amend the country’s criminal procedure. If the new rule takes effect, police must inform the arrested person’s family, lawyer, or close contact within 12 hours of the arrest. No delay beyond this time will be accepted.
Decision Made Under the Chief Advisor’s Leadership
The proposal was approved during a council meeting chaired by Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus. The meeting was held on Thursday in the capital.
At a press briefing later at the Foreign Service Academy, Law Advisor Asif Nazrul announced the decision.
“গ্রেপ্তারের ১২ ঘণ্টার মধ্যে পরিবারকে জানানো বাধ্যতামূলক হবে,”
— আইন উপদেষ্টা আসিফ নজরুল
“Families must be informed within 12 hours of arrest,”
— Law Advisor Asif Nazrul
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Other Key Advisors Present
Two other advisors also shared additional decisions during the press conference:
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Local Government Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan
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Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam
Existing Laws vs. New Update
Currently, as per the Constitution and the Criminal Procedure Code, a person arrested must be presented before a magistrate within 24 hours. Separately, the High Court had earlier ordered that police must immediately notify a person’s family after their arrest.
This new amendment brings a fixed 12-hour deadline, aiming to strengthen transparency and accountability in the arrest process.
“এই সিদ্ধান্ত বিচার ও মানবাধিকারের একটি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ অগ্রগতি,”
— প্রধান উপদেষ্টা কার্যালয়
“This decision is a major step forward for justice and human rights,”
— Office of the Chief Advisor
Source: The Daily Campus
