According to Ain O Shalish Kendra, a human rights organization, since RAB’s creation there has been 1,057 deaths under its custody (as of 2009). In 2004, 114 died in the hands of RAB, which rose to 320 in 2005. In 2006 the killed numbered 246; in 2007 it was 128; in 2008 it was 139; and in 2009 it was 110. Since early January 2009 when the Awami League Coalition government assumed office till September 2010, the persons facing extra-judicial killings stood at 200.

The High Court gave rulings on 17 November 2009 asking the government suo moto to explain the extrajudicial deaths. In the pretext of continued killings (11 illegal deaths since 17 November) the High Court passed and order on 14 December 2009 banning all such killings till the previous case was disposed of.

According to human rights watchdogs extrajudicial killing (of fatwas) still continue. According to human rights organization Odhikar that released a report on 1 October 2010, one extrajudicial killing took place in Bangladesh every three days since January to September 2010. Of the 90 victims during this period 40 were killed by RAB, 33 by police, 8 by the joint team of RAB and police, 5 by the RAB police-Coast Guard joint team, 3 by the RAB Coast Guard and one by the BDR. Ain O Shalish Kendra put the total figure at 95.

Former Chief Justice and Chief Advisor of the caretaker government Habibur Rahman has criticized the “Speedy Supply of Power and Energy (Special Provision) Bill, 2010” that was passed by the parliament on 3 October 2010. The law provides egalitarian authority to the government to take quick and effective actions for exploration, supply, distribution, transmission, transportation, and marketing of power and energy.

Justice Habibur Rahman spoke on this law at the launching of a report “The State of Governance in Bangladesh 2009”, published by Institute of Good Governance (IGS) of Brac University on 6 October 2010. His contention as reported by the press is that the law stands in the way of the people’s right to get justice from the judiciary. Referring to section 9 of the bill, Justice Rahman said that no question can be raised in the court about the legitimacy of measures, decisions, and actions taken under this law by the executive with regard to power and energy. Officials or employees acting in good faith to implement the law cannot be brought to justice.

This special law remains effective for two years unless extended or scrapped.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) concurred with Justice Rahman and expressed concern about the law in a statement on 4 October 2010. It called for its withdrawal in the interest of transparency and accountability of the power sector.