Sylhet Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Sarwoer Alam has been withdrawn from his post.
The information was disclosed in a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Sunday.
The move is believed to be linked to his initiative to bring greater transparency to the management of the Hazrat Shahjalal (R) shrine.
According to the notification, Sarwoer Alam has been posted as a deputy secretary at the Ministry of Public Administration following the transfer. The order, issued in the public interest, takes immediate effect.
Sarwoer Alam was appointed deputy commissioner and district magistrate of Sylhet through a notification issued by the ministry on August 18, 2025.
Shrine incident
On Thursday, the district administration sealed three traditional donation cauldrons (degs) at the shrine and replaced them with new donation boxes under its own management.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Masud Rana supervised the installation, while Ansar personnel were deployed for security.
According to district administration sources, DC Md Sarwoer Alam had visited the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) and Hazrat Shah Paran (R) on June 12.
During the visit, he announced initiatives aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of shrine revenues and expenditures. Following this, the new donation boxes were installed on Thursday afternoon, while the historic cauldrons used for collecting offerings were sealed.
Officials said the steps were taken to streamline and secure the donation collection process, ensuring that all contributions are deposited in boxes under administrative supervision instead of being collected manually.
Explaining the rationale behind the move, Md Sarwoer Alam had earlier said that irregular practices had developed over time in the handling of shrine donations. He maintained that the money constitutes public funds and should be managed transparently, adding that no government revenue would be taken. Instead, funds would be used for the development of the shrine, mosque, and madrasa facilities, with plans for a broader development master plan and a 10-member committee to oversee implementation.
However, the decision sparked immediate backlash from sections of shrine attendants (khadims), devotees, and associated groups, who termed the move an interference in long-standing traditional practices. Protests were held at the shrine premises that evening, while several organisations strongly criticised the DC.
Amid growing controversy and public debate, Alam was subsequently withdrawn from his post and posted to the Ministry of Public Administration as deputy secretary.
The withdrawal has triggered widespread discussion on social media, with differing views emerging over whether the move was linked to administrative reforms or pressure from vested interests.