The government is considering legal amendments or the formulation of entirely new legislation to effectively combat “mob culture” and online gambling. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that the existing legal framework is insufficient to fully address the challenges posed by mob violence and evolving digital crimes.
The Minister made these disclosures as a special guest during an event marking Police Week at the Rajarbagh Police Auditorium on Sunday, 10 May.
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Addressing ‘Mob Culture’ and Legal Deficiencies
Highlighting the issue of mob violence, the Home Minister reiterated the government’s stance against such lawlessness. He noted that while authorities are currently taking all possible measures within the scope of existing legislation, the current framework falls short of comprehensively tackling the problem.
To address this gap, the Minister requested the Home Secretary and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to brief him further on the matter. He emphasised that dealing with mob culture effectively as a distinct challenge requires dedicated legal reforms or a completely new statute.
Special Committee Formed to Curb Online Gambling
In response to the proliferation of internet-based crimes, the government has established a special committee to determine the necessary legal structures to eliminate gambling and online betting. Minister Ahmed observed that as technology advances globally, the nature of crime shifts accordingly, making older laws obsolete.
The newly formed committee is tasked with drafting regulations and reviewing whether related digital offences can be integrated into a unified legal framework.
Key Responsibilities of the Special Committee
| Focus Area | Objective and Scope of Review |
| Online Gambling | Establishing a legal framework to suppress online betting activities. |
| Legislative Drafting | Formulating the initial draft of the proposed new law. |
| Cyber Crime Integration | Assessing whether general cyber crimes can be incorporated under the same law. |
| Financial Transactions | Evaluating the inclusion of illicit money transfer mechanisms within the statute. |
| International Benchmarking | Examining the experiences and legal strategies of other nations if required. |
The Home Minister stated that detailed discussions will take place once the committee submits the legislative draft.
Overtime Allowances and Law Enforcement Operations
To enhance the efficiency and dynamism of the police force, the government is considering the introduction of a structured overtime allowance policy. This initiative aims to compensate officers performing duties beyond their standard working hours, thereby boosting morale and improving public service delivery.
Eligibility Scope: The proposed overtime allowance is being considered for personnel ranging from the rank of Police Inspector down to Constable.
Operational Context: The Minister reported a visible improvement in the country’s law and order situation over the preceding two months.
To sustain this progress and further secure public safety, law enforcement agencies are currently conducting targeted special operations against identified criminals, extortionists, and drug traffickers.