Bangladesh Cabinet Approves Sweeping Legal Reforms to Combat Exam Fraud, Gambling and Drug Trafficking

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The Bangladeshi cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has approved a series of legislative amendments aimed at curbing digital crime, enhancing educational standards, and strengthening public security. Among the most significant changes is a draft amendment to the Public Examinations Act, which seeks to impose a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment and substantial fines for the unauthorized alteration of public examination results or for participation in organized examination fraud syndicates. Officials noted that the original 1980 statute required updates to address contemporary challenges posed by digital technology and the increased prevalence of sophisticated, online-based examination offenses.

In a move to modernize higher education infrastructure, the cabinet also provided policy approval for the Bogra University Act, 2026. This legislation aims to transform the dormant Bogra Science and Technology University into a comprehensive, multidisciplinary institution. The new university will be tasked with expanding research and academic opportunities across a wide array of fields, including engineering, medicine, social sciences, and business administration, to cultivate a more skilled national workforce.

Addressing the rise of digital betting and gambling, the government has approved the draft Gambling Prevention Act, 2026, which replaces the archaic Public Gambling Act of 1867. The new framework introduces strict legal definitions for online and offline gambling, including provisions for digital assets, electronic wallets, and match-fixing. The law is designed to mitigate the socio-economic and psychological damage caused by the proliferation of modern gambling technology, empowering the state to impose rigorous custodial and financial penalties on offenders.

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Furthermore, the cabinet approved the Narcotic Control (Amendment) Act, 2026, to counter the evolving nature of drug trafficking and technology-facilitated narcotics crimes. The proposed legislation mandates the establishment of specialized tribunals to expedite judicial proceedings and introduces specific provisions to combat cyber-based drug offenses. To bolster enforcement, the amendment also incorporates measures for improved inter-agency coordination in border areas and the integration of specialized dog squads to facilitate more efficient narcotics detection. Both the gambling and narcotics bills have been forwarded to the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division for final vetting.