State Minister for Land Saifuzzaman Chowdhury suspended Ashraf Hossain Sheikh, assistant commissioner (Land) of the Kotwali area under Dhaka Metropolitan area, yesterday, for misconduct, irregularities in the performance of duty, violation of service rules and creating public suffering.
The state minister suspended Ashraf during a sudden visit to his office in the Kotwali area.
Ashraf was not in his office when the state minister paid the visit around 11am. Tipped off by other officials, the assistant commissioner rushed to his office then.
Md Rejuan Khan, public relations officer of the Land Ministry, told the Dhaka Tribune: “Ashraf told the state minister that he had gone to the ministry to see a joint secretary for an official task. The state minister contacted said joint secretary and learned that Ashraf had not gone to the ministry for any official purpose.”
The state minister also learned from other officials in Ashraf’s office that people were not receiving services properly from him, as per the law and rules.
The state minister also acquired several proofs of the assistant commissioner violating service rules and breaking the law such as hanging a torn portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Saifuzzaman asked the senior secretary of the ministry to suspend Ashraf, effective immediately.