Rights If Arrested in Bangladesh

Article 33 of the Bangladesh Constitution provides the most important safeguards for anyone who is arrested. These rights cannot be taken away by any law or police action:

Bailable vs non-bailable offences: Bangladesh law categorises offences into bailable and non-bailable. For bailable offences (less serious crimes), bail is a matter of right — the accused must be released on bail upon providing a surety bond. For non-bailable offences (serious crimes like murder, dacoity, or kidnapping), bail is discretionary and requires a court application.

FIR (First Information Report / এজাহার): An FIR is the first step in the criminal justice process. Any person can lodge an FIR at the nearest police station by providing information about a cognisable offence. The police are legally obligated to record the FIR and register a case number. The FIR must include: the date and time of the offence, the place where it occurred, a description of what happened, and the names of any known suspects. A copy of the FIR must be provided to the informant free of charge.

Habeas corpus: If someone is detained unlawfully — without proper grounds, beyond the 24-hour limit without a court order, or in an unrecognised place of detention — any person can file a habeas corpus writ petition in the High Court Division under Article 102 of the Constitution. The court can order the immediate production of the detained person and their release if the detention is found to be illegal.