Proposal To Repeal Bangabandhu Family Security Act To Be Discussed

The "Father of the Nation's Family Members Security Act, 2009," which was enacted to protect the family members of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is set to be repealed. 

The proposal to amend the law will be discussed in a meeting of the Advisory Council. According to relevant sources, the meeting will be held on Thursday (August 29) under the chairmanship of Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

It has been reported that the Special Security Force Act of 2021, which ensures security for members of Bangabandhu's family "regardless of their location" in the same way as VVIPs such as the President and Prime Minister, will be amended.

If the proposal is approved, the special security provisions, including protection by the Special Security Force (SSF), secure housing, and other necessary government facilities, for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, their children, their spouses, and their grandchildren, will be abolished.

In 2009, after forming the government, the Awami League enacted the "Father of the Nation's Family Members Security Act, 2009," ensuring lifetime special security for Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's surviving daughters, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana, and their children. The law mandated that they would receive the same level of security provided to a "Very Very Important Person (VVIP)" by the Special Security Force (SSF) for life.

The Special Security Force Act of 2021 was enacted to ensure equal security for VVIPs like the President and members of Bangabandhu's family at any location. If any person poses a threat to their physical security, SSF members have the authority to arrest them. If the individual attempts to evade arrest or obstructs the attempt, the SSF can neutralize the threat through any necessary means, including lethal force, after giving due warning. Under this law, no case can be filed against SSF members for their actions without prior government approval.

On August 5, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned amidst public outrage and fled to India. Subsequently, a writ petition was filed in the High Court challenging the validity of these two laws.

The writ petition challenges the "Father of the Nation's Family Members Security Act, 2009" and specific sections of the "Special Security Force Act, 2021" (sections 2(b), 2(c), 8(1), 8(3), 8(4), and 9(2)) that reference the family members of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, declaring them unconstitutional and illegal.

The writ petition names the Law Secretary, Home Secretary, Finance Secretary, Director General of the Special Security Force, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sheikh Rehana, Sheikh Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Sheikh Hasina's daughter Saima Wazed Putul, Sheikh Rehana's son Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, and Sheikh Rehana's daughters Tulip Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq Ruponti as respondents.