A police investigation has found former officer-in-charge of Badda police station Shamim Hossain “not guilty” even after trying to flee the country using a false identity.
According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police officials, Shamim went home from the police station on December 14 last year, saying he was not feeling well. The next day, he submitted an application at the DMP headquarters for 28 days’ leave, citing physical illness. After that, Shamim disappeared and did not return to work.
Failing to trace his whereabouts for the next 48 hours, the DMP headquarters later received a confirmation from immigration police that Shamim had left the country for the United States with his wife and two children, posing as a businessman.
The issue became a serious embarrassment for the DMP authorities as it took place just before the national elections.
The DMP formed a probe body led by Gulshan Division Deputy Commissioner Khandakar Lutful Kabir. As per the recommendations of the committee, Shamim was temporarily suspended from duty and attached to Rajarbagh Police Lines.
Asked about the progress of the investigation, DC Lutful Kabir told the Dhaka Tribune that Shamim had been wrong in visiting the United States without the DMP authorities’ permission and as part of his departmental punishment, they had already temporarily suspended him.
Asked about any other charges against Shamim, he said: “We did not find any other faults on part of Shamim, except him moving out of the country without permission.”
Sources said Shamim had tried to flee the country by concealing his real identity fearing that he might be victimised if any changes took place after the national elections.
However, Shamim Hossain refused the allegations, telling the Dhaka Tribune that his entire family, including his parents, brothers and sisters, live in the US and he had gone there with his wife and children simply for a visit.
“I wanted to come back, keeping my wife and children with my parents. However, I could not do so as my visa had already expired,” he added.