DHAKA, Jul 24 (V7N) – The interim government today approved a significant amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), introducing a mandatory provision that requires law enforcement to inform the family of an arrested person within 12 hours of their capture.

The proposal received approval during a meeting of the Council of Advisers, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, held at the Chief Adviser's Office.

Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul announced the new provisions at a press conference held at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital following the advisers' meeting.

Key changes outlined by Dr. Nazrul include:

Police Identification: Police personnel making an arrest must carry and display their ID cards upon request.

Notification of Family: After an arrest, police must bring the individual to the police station and inform their family. Under no circumstances can this notification take more than 12 hours.

Medical Treatment: If an arrested person falls ill, medical treatment must be provided without delay.

Documentation: The reason for the arrest, the names of the arresting police personnel, and the details of the family members contacted after the arrest must all be recorded in written form.

Centralized Arrest Records: A comprehensive list of all arrested individuals must be maintained at the police headquarters.

Dr. Asif Nazrul further stated that changes have been made to Section 54 of the CrPC, which deals with arrests without a warrant. While police will retain the authority to arrest a person who commits a crime in their presence, the amended provision will also allow for arrest if there is a possibility of the person absconding. The reforms also include provisions for online bail bonds and digital summons, aiming to modernize and streamline parts of the judicial process.

Expressing optimism about the impact of these amendments, Dr. Nazrul stated, "If this law is properly implemented, I do believe it will play a groundbreaking role in preventing intentional arrests, harassment and denial after the arrest or perish a person physically after arrest."

Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam were also present at the press conference.

These amendments signify a significant step by the interim government towards reforming the criminal justice system, particularly concerning citizens' rights during arrest and detention, a long-standing demand from human rights organizations and legal experts in Bangladesh. Existing legal frameworks, including a 2016 Supreme Court directive stemming from a case involving Section 54, already had some provisions for informing relatives, but this new amendment solidifies and mandates a specific timeframe.

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