In 2013, then deputy commissioner of police’s detective branch (DB) Mollah Nazrul Islam came under extensive discussions for taking a large sum of money as bribes inside a bank after detaining a business person. The total incident was captured in CCTV cameras of the bank.
Subsequently DC Nazrul was removed from the DB office and attached to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Headquarters. On the other hand, the Anti-Corruption Commission started investigating the case, and getting proof of his involvement with the bribery incident sent a letter to the DMP HQ in April last year suggesting departmental action against the official.
However, no action has yet been taken against the officer, for mysterious reasons. Despite this, soon after the ACC issued the letter, he was transferred to Barisal Metropolitan Police and presently he is serving as the police superintendent of Joypurhat district.
Mollah Nazrul is not the only officer to have been enjoying such privilege. At least 21,000 police officers’ involvement was found in different criminal activities in the last two years while the number was over 6,000 in the first five months of the current year, sources in the Police Headquarters say.
Since his joining office earlier this year, police chief AKM Shahidul Hoque has been asserting that there will be zero-tolerance if any police official is found doing crimes.
Once an allegation is found against any official, the authorities immediately take steps like transfer, withdrawal from the designated office or suspension. But after some days, the incident is forgotten and the accused – managing the high officials – take suitable postings or even promotion. Probe bodies are formed after an allegation is raised, but most of the probe reports would not see light.
Alamgir Hossain, inspector (investigation) of Jalalabad police station, was found neglecting his duties in the much-talked sensational murder of teenager Samiul Alam Rajon. He was first withdrawn from the station, and on July 27 he was attached with Rangpur Range of police.
On June 21, ASI Mahfuzur Rahman of the Special Branch of police and his driver were arrested by the Rapid Action Battalion from Feni with 7 lakh yaba tablets. At that time, he mentioned the names of a dozen other officials of Cox’s Bazar DB police claiming that they were involved in yaba business. Following this, the Police Headquarters only transferred 11 officials of Cox’s Bazar DB police including an inspector.
Allegation of negligence was proved against SI Ashraful Islam of Shahbagh police, Inspector (investigation) Sayedul Islam Bhuiyan and Assistant Commissioner Saberul Islam while performing duties in Dhaka University area during the Pohela Boishakh celebrations on April 14.
Five days after the incident, SI Ashraf was suspended. A three-member committee was also formed to investigate the incident on April 16, and it suggested action against the trio. However, it is found that SI Ashraf and AC Saber have been working at their previous workplaces while Inspector Sayedul transferred to Turag police station.
A female leader of Bangladesh Chhatra Union was assaulted by the police on May 10 during a protest by students demanding action against the perpetrators and the police officials over the Pohela Boishakh incident. Naik Anis was temporary suspended just two days after the incident, but no further steps taken against him until date.
Prof Zia Rahman, chairman of criminology department at Dhaka University, said that if the police officials are found doing crimes, then departmental action must be taken against them or else others would be encouraged to do crimes. “Police crimes are rising as those responsible are not getting punishment,” he added.
When contacted, Nurul Huda, former inspector general of police, thinks it is tragic that the members of organised forces are getting involved in crimes. “The high officials need to monitor every incident and take necessary action against the accused,” he said.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan categorically said that action is taken as per the existing police laws whenever any official is found involved in crimes. “No one is getting mercy,” he claimed.
