Six senior cops dismissed over ‘desertion’

The government has dismissed six senior police officers for allegedly remaining absent from their workplaces for prolonged periods, defying government orders, failing to join their transferred workplaces and committing “desertion”.
The Home Ministry’s Discipline-1 Branch issued six separate notifications on Tuesday, saying the disciplinary action was taken under the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018, with the President’s approval and in consultation with the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC). The orders took immediate effect.
The dismissed officers include Mohammad Iqbal Hossain, former deputy commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s (DMP) Wari Division, who is currently a superintendent of police (SP).
During the 2024 mass uprising, his alleged remark, “Sir, if you fire one bullet, only one person dies,” addressed to then Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, sparked widespread discussion on social media.
The other dismissed officers are former DMP deputy commissioner Kazi Ashraful Azim; former joint police commissioner Biplab Kumar Sarker; former joint police commissioner (additional DIG) Sudip Kumar Chakraborty; additional SP Rajon Kumar Das; and assistant police commissioner Md Golam Ruhani, younger brother of former Bangladesh Chhatra League general secretary Golam Rabbani.
According to the notifications, each officer was served a show-cause notice under the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018, and given an opportunity to defend himself.
Separate inquiry officers were also appointed to investigate the allegations. However, none of the officers submitted written explanations in response to the allegations.
Following investigations, the allegations of “desertion” and “misconduct” were found to have been proven against them. Subsequently, on the recommendation of the BPSC and with the President’s approval, the government decided to dismiss them permanently under Rule 4(3)(1)(d) of the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018.
23 police officers transferred
Meanwhile, the government has carried out a major reshuffle involving police commissioners, range deputy inspector generals (DIGs), district superintendents of police (SPs) and deputy commissioners (DCs).
In separate notifications issued by the Police-1 Branch of the Home Ministry, 23 officers of the BCS (Police) cadre were transferred and posted to new workplaces.
The notifications, signed by Home Ministry Deputy Secretary Towsif Ahmed on behalf of the President on Wednesday, said the orders were issued in the public interest and would take immediate effect.
Among the notable transfers, Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner (DIG) Mohammad Abdul Mabud has been posted as DIG of the Rangpur Range, while Industrial Police DIG Md Zulfikar Ali Haider has been posted as DIG of the Barishal Range.