HC summons Kushtia SP for ‘misbehaving’ with magistrate

The High Court has summoned Kushtia Superintendent of Police of SM Tanvir Arafat, seeking an explanation over his alleged misbehaviour with Judicial Magistrate Mohsin Hasan during the Bheramara municipality election on January 16. 

The High Court bench comprising Justice Mamnoon Rahman and Justice Khizir Hayat passed the order on Wednesday, stating that the SP has to appear before the bench on January 25 to offer his explanation, reports Bangla Tribune.

Judicial Magistrate Mohsin Hasan recently sent complaint letters to the Election Commission, Supreme Court, Home Ministry, and the office of inspector general of police to take necessary steps against SP Tanvir Arafath, citing misconduct during a local government body election.

The bench came up with the summon order in a suo moto (voluntary) move when the matter was brought to their attention.

In the complaint, the magistrate mentioned that he was appointed as a first-class judicial magistrate from January 14 to 18 ahead of Kushtia's Bheramara municipality election.

On January 16 election day, he received a complaint that a group of people were sitting inside Bheramara Pilot Model High School polling centre and trying to manipulate voters.

When he entered the centre and found some people sitting on a long bench inside the polling booth with the polling agents, he proceeded to make inquiries. 

Then, the magistrate called the presiding officer concerned outside the booth to know about the seemingly unauthorized personnel.

As soon as he started talking with the presiding officer, SP SM Tanvir along with forces entered the polling station and called on the presiding officer.

Additional Superintendent of Police Mostafizur Rahman and his forces also appeared on the scene and asked the presiding officer to go with him.

According to the complaint, the SP approached the magistrate and questioned, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

The SP asked the magistrate to leave the centre even after he introduced himself.

Then, the magistrate left the centre and informed the Bheramara Upazila Nirbahi Officer.

The magistrate termed the police official’s behaviour as "aggressive" and "rude."

In his complaint, the magistrate said SP's behaviour was a violation of concerning rules. Therefore, prayers have been made to take necessary action.