Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday said links have been found between former Cantonment Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Md Rakibul Hasan and Awami League (now facing ban on its activities).
He made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists at the Secretariat over recent transfers of OCs at different police stations in Dhaka and the withdrawal of the OC of Shah Ali Police Station.
Asked whether merely transferring police officers could resolve problems, the home minister said transfers are an administrative measure and may be made for negligence of duty or when an officer is found to have links to certain activities.
“But the transfer is not the last step. Departmental proceedings are being taken against them after the transfers,” he said.
Referring to Rakibul Hasan, he said an investigation was conducted into the former Cantonment OC over an incident involving an audio recording that went viral on social media. He said forensic examination was also conducted and that one or two agencies were involved in the investigation.
“A case has been filed against him and departmental proceedings are underway,” Salahuddin said.
He further said charges have also been brought against Rakibul Hasan in connection with a criminal offence, including sedition, and that he has been arrested.
Rakibul Hasan came under scrutiny after an audio recording allegedly featuring his voice spread on social media.
In the recording, he was heard discussing the current situation in the police force, the posting of officers and various internal issues.
He alleged that many senior police officials are becoming involved in BNP politics while grassroots police personnel are not doing so.
He also alleged financial transactions in the appointment of OCs and the use of influential people to secure postings, while claiming that unqualified officers are being given important positions at the expense of competent officials.
In the recording, he also said the police would not be able to prevent ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina from returning to Bangladesh and expressed dissatisfaction over postings and leadership within the force.
Following an investigation into the audio, Rakibul Hasan was withdrawn from his post and a sedition case was later filed against him.
On Thursday, he was shown arrested in the case and produced before a court, which, after a hearing, granted five days' remand.
The investigation was later transferred to the Detective Branch (DB) .