Following the dismissal of 252 trainee sub-inspectors (SIs) at the Bangladesh Police Academy, Sardah, Rajshahi over disciplinary violations, 59 additional SIs have been issued show-cause notices in two phases.
The notices, issued on Monday and Thursday, allege that certain SIs created disruption in training classes by sitting haphazardly and causing commotion.
The letters were signed by Superintendent of Police (Admin and Logistics) Tarek Bin Rashid on behalf of the Police Academy Principal.
Ten SIs received notices on Monday, while 49 more were notified on Thursday. Several trainees have confirmed receiving these notices.
Although no official statement was provided by the Police Academy, sources confirmed the incident, sparking fresh concerns among the notified SIs regarding possible dismissal.
In 2023, during the Awami League government’s tenure, 823 candidates were finalized for recruitment as Sub-Inspectors (SIs) and sent to the Sardah Police Academy. As cadets of the 40th batch, they were scheduled to complete their training and join their positions next month.
In the show-cause notices issued on Thursday to 49 trainees, it was said: "You are undergoing one-year foundational training at Bangladesh Police Academy, Rajshahi, as part of the 40th Cadet SI Batch 2023, which began on November 5. On October 21, a class on various important legal provisions was held in Chamney Memorial Hall from 7pm, to 8:30pm Police Inspectors were present as instructors. Upon entering, they observed you seated in a disorderly fashion and causing a commotion. Despite repeated instructions to sit in an orderly manner, you disregarded their directions, continued to disrupt, and engaged in conversation during the lecture.”
The notice further said: “Such behavior violates the regulations of Bangladesh Police Academy. Inspector Rezaul Karim has submitted a report to the Academy Principal requesting necessary action. Therefore, under the 1943 PRB regulations, you are required to submit a written explanation within three days as to why you should not be dismissed from the ongoing foundational training.”
Earlier, 10 SIs were served similar notices over disruptive conduct in a gymnasium class on October 16.
Efforts to reach Police Academy Principal (Additional IGP) Masudur Rahman Bhuiyan for comment from Friday morning to the afternoon were unsuccessful.
Police Superintendent Tarek Bin Rashid, who signed the notices, did not respond to multiple calls or messages, including those on WhatsApp.
Meanwhile, Enamul Haque Sagar, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Media and Public Relations at the Police Headquarters, said: “252 SIs have been dismissed, but I am not informed about the show-cause letters. Such letters are issued by Sardah Police Academy, and I do not have the exact number.”
An SI in training, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “What is being done against us collectively is not right. If there is a problem in the recruitment process, it should be investigated. I didn’t have any recommendations in my case, nor did I approach anyone. I got the job on my own merit. So, why am I being treated so unfairly?”
Expressing his fear despite not receiving any notice, another trainee said: “We joined Sardah on November 4, 2023, and the training started the next day. Since then, we have trained for 11 months and 20 days, enduring grueling days from 4am to 9pm, preparing ourselves. Our training was supposed to conclude on November 4.”
“At a time like this, so many colleagues have been dismissed all at once. Those who are still in Sardah are now living every second in fear. We’re hearing that the dismissal list will get even longer,” he added.
