Seven police officers punished over absenteeism, misconduct

The government has taken disciplinary action against seven police officers for prolonged absence from duty, disobedience of official orders and misconduct. Six have been dismissed from service, while another has been sent into compulsory retirement.

Those dismissed include two former DIGs, an additional DIG, two assistant commissioners, and an additional superintendent of police.

The information was found in separate notifications issued by the Home Ministry on Saturday (October 31).

The dismissed officers are former DIGs Mohammad Harun Or Rashid and Md Anisur Rahman, former Additional DIG Shyamal Kumar Mukherjee, former assistant commissioners Farhana Taskin and Md Moniruzzaman Sarkar, and former Additional Superintendent of Police SM Jahangir Hossain. Assistant Superintendent of Police Kazi Mizanur Rahman has been sent into compulsory retirement.

The disciplinary actions followed departmental investigations, Public Service Commission recommendations and presidential approval under the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018.

Two officers stayed abroad

Farhana Taskin and Md Moniruzzaman Sarkar were dismissed for remaining absent from duty while staying abroad.

Taskin went to Canada in February 2018 on 42 days' leave but never returned despite repeated instructions from the ministry.

Sarkar went to the UK in 2012 for a PhD at Kingston University. After his leave extension was rejected, he was also instructed to return but failed to comply.

Three senior officers absent from duty

Harun Or Rashid remained absent from duty from August 6, 2024, without permission. Shyamal Kumar Mukherjee failed to return after taking three weeks of rest in January 2025.

Anisur Rahman also failed to rejoin duty despite repeated notices after reporting illness in February 2025.

Departmental investigations established the allegations against all three.

Additional SP dismissed

SM Jahangir Hossain, who was posted to the Naval Police's Tangail region, failed to return after his foreign leave and subsequent extension request were rejected. He was dismissed with effect from October 23, 2024.

ASP sent into compulsory retirement

Kazi Mizanur Rahman was sent into compulsory retirement over an alleged extramarital relationship with a constable's wife. A departmental investigation found him guilty of misconduct, saying his actions had tarnished the police force's image.

Home Ministry Senior Secretary Manzur Morshed Chowdhury signed the notifications on behalf of the President. All orders have been made effective immediately.

-AJM