Dhaka:The government has released the draft Speedy Trial Tribunal (Amendment) Act, 2026 for public consultation, aiming to expedite trials of serious crimes such as extortion, robbery, and dacoity to enhance public security.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, official sources highlight that delays in resolving cases involving serious offenses like extortion, dacoity, robbery, mugging, and activities disrupting law and order hinder crime prevention efforts and pose significant threats to public safety.
The government is modernizing the existing Speedy Trial Tribunal Act, 2002 (Act No. 28 of 2002) to ensure swift justice and effective crime suppression. The draft bill, released under Instruction No. 228 of the Secretariat Instructions 2024 and Rule 31A of the Rules of Business, proposes several key amendments.
One significant change is the admissibility of digital evidence. The proposed amendment to Section 16 would make digital evidence, such as online or digital conversations, communications, still photographs, and video footage, legally admissible in trials under this Act. Additionally, Section 6 is amended to explicitly cover extortion and robbery, replacing earlier references to narcotics offenses.
The definition of Special Courts is updated in Section 3(e) to include various Special Tribunals and any other special court or tribunal established by law. Furthermore, Section 3 is updated to formally define the "Penal Code" as the Penal Code, 1860 (Act No. XLV of 1860).
Members of the public and stakeholders are invited to submit objections, complaints, or suggestions regarding the draft bill within seven days of its publication. Feedback can be submitted in writing to the Senior Assistant Secretary (Justice Branch-4) or emailed to [email protected]. The Law and Justice Division noted that no objections or suggestions will be accepted after November 1, 2026.