Among 17 facing compulsory retirement
The government has initiated the process of compulsorily retiring 17 more senior Bangladesh Police officers over allegations of political bias, corruption, abuse of office and misconduct during the previous Awami League administration, including claims that three female officers played roles in incidents involving former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in 2018.
According to multiple officials at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Home Ministry has forwarded the names of the 17 officers to the PMO, seeking approval to proceed with the action. A formal notification is expected once the proposal receives final approval.
The officers, who joined the Bangladesh Police cadre on 31 May 2001, include three Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), 12 Additional DIGs, one Superintendent of Police (SP) and one Deputy Commissioner of Police.
Officials familiar with the matter said the document submitted to the PMO places significant emphasis on the officers’ alleged political affiliations and activities during the tenure of the previous government.
Most of the officers are alleged to have been supporters or beneficiaries of the ousted Awami League administration.
The allegations include political loyalty to the former ruling party, family links with Awami League leaders, involvement in alleged electoral irregularities during the 2014 and 2018 general elections, participation in the suppression of opposition leaders and activists, and various forms of corruption and abuse of authority.
Among those named are three female officers who face allegations relating to incidents involving Khaleda Zia.
Additional DIGs Rebeka Sultana and Jasmine Begum are accused of participating in the forcible removal of Khaleda Zia from her residence in Dhaka Cantonment in 2018.
Joint Police Commissioner Farida Yasmin is alleged to have been inside the vehicle that transported Khaleda Zia from court to prison after her conviction in 2018.
According to the document, Farida Yasmin served with the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) from 10 June 2015 to 13 July 2022, during which she allegedly worked alongside senior officials in operations aimed at suppressing opposition political activities.
Rebeka Sultana also faces allegations of leaking confidential state information to fugitive Awami League leaders. The document further claims that she maintained close ties with former Home Minister Sahara Khatun.
DIG Mohammad Abdullahil Baki, described in the document as a close associate of former President Abdul Hamid, is accused of using his position in the Police Headquarters’ intelligence branch to conduct unlawful telephone surveillance on opposition leaders and leak information relating to their political activities.
A senior official involved in the process said the compulsory retirement orders could be issued as early as Thursday or the following day, subject to final approval from the Prime Minister’s Office.
The move is part of the government’s continuing administrative review of senior police officials accused of political partisanship, abuse of office, corruption and other alleged misconduct during the tenure of the previous administration.
No official response from the officers concerned was immediately available at the time of filing this report.
