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Five police officers, including former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Joint Commissioner Biplab Kumar Sarker, are set to be dismissed from service for allegedly remaining absent from their workplaces without authorisation.
A related government notification is expected to be issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs soon, according to sources.
The five officers are Biplab Kumar Sarker, Md Golam Ruhani, Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, Rajan Kumar Das and Md Iqbal Hossain.
According to relevant documents, former DMP Joint Commissioner Biplab Kumar Sarker has been temporarily suspended and attached to the office of the Barishal Range DIG. Md Golam Ruhani, younger brother of former Bangladesh Chhatra League General Secretary Golam Rabbani, is currently suspended and absconding. Sudip Kumar Chakraborty has also been suspended and attached to the Barishal Range DIG’s office. Rajan Kumar Das is suspended and absconding, while Md Iqbal Hossain has been suspended and attached to the Khulna Range DIG’s office.
According to sources at the Ministry of Home Affairs, departmental cases were filed against the five officers over unauthorised absence from duty and absconding. Following investigations that established the allegations, the process of imposing the major penalty of dismissal from service has been completed.
Relevant ministry documents show that the officers failed to return to their respective workplaces after their approved leave expired. They did not report for duty even after being served notices and failed to inform the authorities of their whereabouts.
As their unauthorised absence exceeded 60 days, departmental proceedings were initiated against them under the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018.
The departmental cases accused them of “misconduct” and “desertion” under Rules 3(b) and 3(c). They were served show-cause notices but did not respond. Investigating officers were subsequently appointed to examine the allegations.
Following the investigations, reports found the allegations of misconduct and desertion against all five officers to be proven. A preliminary decision was then taken to impose the major penalty of dismissal from service. They were served with second show-cause notices regarding the decision, but again submitted no responses.
After reviewing the investigation reports, the seriousness of the allegations and other relevant matters, the decision to dismiss them was upheld.
The authorities subsequently sought the advice of the Bangladesh Public Service Commission on imposing the major penalty in accordance with the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018 and the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (Consultation) Regulations, 1979.
The Public Service Commission later advised that the five officers could be dismissed from service. The matter was then submitted for approval by the President as the appointing authority under Rule 4(6) of the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018.
Relevant documents at the Ministry of Home Affairs mention the process of securing approval for the dismissal of all five officers. A government notification will be issued after presidential approval, according to sources.
Former DMP Joint Commissioner Biplab Kumar Sarker has also been accused in several cases and complaints of crimes against humanity before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). He has been accused in connection with alleged repression during the July-August 2024 student-led mass uprising and various political programmes held earlier.
Golam Ruhani served as an assistant commissioner of the DMP’s Motijheel zone during the Awami League government. At the time, various allegations were reported in the media that he used his brother’s political identity as a Chhatra League leader to exert undue influence within the police administration and abuse his position. He has reportedly remained absent from duty without permission since August 11, 2024, and is currently in hiding.
Former DMP Joint Commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty was sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal for the killing of protesters in Chankharpul during the July-August 2024 mass uprising. Tribunal-1 announced the landmark verdict on January 26.
Rajan Kumar Das was serving as an additional superintendent of police in Sunamganj in July 2024. He has been accused of ordering indiscriminate use of force and firing during the suppression of the anti-discrimination student movement in July-August 2024. He has also been accused of playing a leading field-level role in the use of force, baton charges and shotgun firing against students and civilians in Sunamganj during the protests.
The fifth officer facing dismissal is former DMP Wari Division Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Iqbal Hossain. A case alleging genocide and crimes against humanity is pending against him before the International Crimes Tribunal.
During the July-August 2024 protests, a controversial statement he allegedly made in the presence of the then home minister went viral on social media, drawing widespread criticism across the country.
In the video, he is heard telling the then home minister: “We have to keep shooting to bring down bodies, sir. We shoot, one dies and one is injured. At least one goes, sir…”
