Senior Assistant Commissioner (RDC) Nazim Uddin -- who was withdrawn for his involvement in Kurigram journalist Ariful's wrongful incarceration and torture earlier in the year – has been temporarily suspended from office for tarnishing the image of the government.
Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration Sheikh Yusuf Harun confirmed the matter, saying that the suspension went through on Thursday, reports Bangla Tribune.
Asked why no such action has been taken against Kurigram DC Sultana Parveen and others over the same incident, Sheikh Yusuf Harun said departmental cases were pending against the others. If convicted at the end of the case, action will be taken against them as well.
Dhaka Tribune Journalist Ariful Islam being taken to Kurigram Sadar Hospital on Sunday morning, March 15, 2020 | Dhaka TribuneHe said that RDC Nazim Uddin caused trouble in just about every station where he had performed government duties even before Kurigram. All such activities have tarnished the image of the government and the administration.
It is worth mentioning that suspension comes five months after the incident on March 13 where RDC Nazim Uddin, along with others, tortured, beat and jailed Kurigram journalist Ariful Islam after implicating him in a false case.
Also Read- Case finally recorded against former Kurigram DC, associates
Regarding the matter, Sheikh Yusuf Harun said: "We gave him a chance to defend himself as a departmental case is pending against him. If he had been suspended immediately after the incident, he would not have had a chance to defend himself. That would have been a questionable decision. Moreover, during this time, we have collected the necessary information on the incident. Now that everything is clear, he has been suspended.”
A circular issued by the Ministry of Public Administration advised against posting Nazim Uddin elsewhere, saying that the allegations against him were serious and he may cause the administration more embarrassment in the future.
On March 13, Ariful was forcefully picked up at midnight. He was blindfolded and tortured mercilessly at the Deputy Commissioner's (DC) office, which was even filmed by one of the associates on order of the then DC. The video triggered a huge outrage across the country. Ariful was also sent to prison by the magistrate.
Following the incident, the High Court ordered police to take a case over it against the DC and other people involved.
The High Court also stayed, for six months, the proceedings of the case filed by the mobile court against Ariful, and its order that convicted and sentenced him in connection with the case.
