The cabinet today gave final approval to the draft “Gum Protirodh O Protikar Ain, 2026”, subject to vetting by the law ministry, proposing a comprehensive legal framework that recognises enforced disappearance as a distinct, cognisable, non-bailable and non-compoundable criminal offence.

The approval came at the 15th cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held at the Secretariat, according to a press release issued by the Cabinet Division.

Under the proposed law, the families of victims of enforced disappearance will be compensated from the assets of convicted offenders. If the convicted individuals do not have sufficient resources, the government will provide the compensation.

The draft law requires investigations to be completed within a maximum of 120 days and trials within a further 120 days. It provides for a maximum punishment of life imprisonment and a fine for the offence of enforced disappearance.

Where an enforced disappearance results in death, if the body is recovered, or if the victim cannot be found either alive or dead even after five years, the proposed law prescribes the death penalty or life imprisonment, along with a maximum fine of Tk 1 crore.

The Cabinet Division said the draft law includes provisions for government legal aid, medical treatment, rehabilitation, and the establishment of a compensation fund for victims' families.

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"Provisions have been made for government legal aid, medical treatment, rehabilitation, and the formation of a compensation fund for them [the families of victims of enforced disappearance], as well as measures to realise compensation from the assets of the convicted person; if that is not possible, a provision has been added for the state to provide the compensation," the press release said.

The proposed legislation also provides for court-issued search warrants to rescue disappeared persons, trial in absentia of the accused, the admissibility of digital evidence, and the protection of the privacy and security of witnesses, complainants, informants and victims.

According to the press release, the law also allows the use of a disappeared person's property to meet the maintenance and necessary expenses of their spouse and dependent family members. It further provides for the issuance of a disappearance certificate to facilitate the distribution of property among heirs after five years, the maintenance of a central database, and opportunities for international cooperation on enforced disappearances.

"Provisions have also been kept in the proposed law to establish an integrated legal framework to prevent enforced disappearances, prosecute those responsible, search for disappeared persons, and ensure the rights, compensation, and rehabilitation of victims and their families," the press release added.

At the same meeting, the cabinet also approved, both in principle and in final form, the draft “Transfer of Property (Amendment) Act, 2026”, and cleared proposals to scrap the "Essential Medicines List 2026" and the "Medicine Pricing System 2026".