The Cyber Security Bill 2023 was passed in parliament on Wednesday with a provision making offences under four of its sections non-bailable.
It is proposed to replace the much-talked-about Digital Security Act, in which offences under 14 sections were non-bailable, reports UNB.
As per the Bill, officers of the rank of police inspector are empowered to search and arrest anyone without any warrant.
However, if a false case is filed, it is considered as a crime and provisions for punishment have been kept.
State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak moved the Bill, and it was passed by voice vote.
The four non-bailable offences are related to intrusion into key information infrastructures, damaging computers and computer systems, cyber terrorist activities, and hacking related crimes.
In the law, the offences under four sections are non-bailable.
The intrusion into important information infrastructures and others are in section-17, while damaging computers and computer systems are in section-19, cyber terrorist acts and committing such crimes are in section-27, and hacking related crimes are in section-33.
The already filed cases will run under the existing law- Digital Security Act as a provision was incorporated in the proposed law.
In the draft Cyber Security Act 2023, the offences and punishment provisions have been cited in sections 17-33.
Criticising various clauses of the Bill, opposition party members said that freedom of thought and expression and recognition of independent media have been given in the constitution itself.
However, in various clauses of this Bill, the system of curtailing these rights recognised by the constitution has been ensured.
Several members demanded to amend the provisions of arrest and search without any warrant. In response to these criticism, State Minister Palak said that freedom of thought and expression is recognised by the constitution, but it is not unlimited.
"Freedom does not mean violating the rights of others. Your freedom does not mean saying whatever you want. It's not about disrespecting others," he said.
He said that the opposition members are agreeing on the necessity of the law.
"There is no alternative to the Cyber Security Act to build a transparent, accountable and secure Smart Bangladesh."
A new section has been added in the Bill on the offence and punishment for filing false cases and complaints.
This section provides that it shall be an offence if any person files or makes a suit or complaint under any section of this Act with intent to cause injury to another person, without knowing just or lawful cause for filing the suit or complaint.
The person filing the suit or complaint in this offence and the person who filed the complaint shall be punished with the punishment prescribed for the original offence.
