Seven police officer including ex-DB chief Harun dismissed from jobs

Mohammad Harun Or Rashid, former additional commissioner (Crime and Operations) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), has been dismissed from service on charges of remaining absent from workplace without permission for a long time. His dismissal order will be considered effective from August 6, 2024.

This information was announced in a gazette issued by the Home Ministry on Saturday (October 31). It said the allegation of fleeing from the workplace against Harun Or Rashid was proved beyond doubt and this punitive measure was taken under the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018.

The gazette said Harun Or Rashid has remained absent from the workplace since August 6, 2024. The dismissal order will be effective from that day. He was earlier under temporary suspension.

DIG-ranked officer Harun Or Rashid went absent from the workplace without permission of the proper authority while serving as additional commissioner of DMP. Despite repeated attempts to contact him at his current and permanent addresses and by e-mail, he did not return to the workplace.

In this incident, police headquarters sent a letter to the Home Ministry requesting departmental action against him. In its wake, a departmental case was filed against him on April 15 this year. Although a show-cause notice was issued regarding the allegation, he neither gave a written reply nor sought time to reply.

Considering the gravity of the allegation, an investigation officer was appointed on June 22. The investigation report submitted on August 6 mentioned that the allegation of leaving the workplace against him was proved under Rule 3(c) of the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018. Later, a second show-cause notice was issued to him on August 20 but he did not reply.

The government sought the opinion of the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) on awarding the major penalty of dismissal from service to Harun Or Rashid. On October 1, the commission recommended his dismissal from service.

The gazette said this decision was taken after reviewing the departmental case records, investigation report and the PSC’s opinion as the allegation was proved. The President approved this decision on October 25.

Six more police officers dismissed
Like Harun Or Rashid, six more police officers have been dismissed from service on charges of remaining absent from the workplace. They are former DIG of Rajshahi Range Md Anisur Rahman, former additional DIG of Tourist Police Shyamal Kumar Mukherjee, former police superintendent of Lakshmipur Tarek Bin Rashid, additional police superintendent S M Jahangir Hasan, assistant police commissioner of DMP Md Moniruzzaman Sarker and assistant police superintendent of DMP Traffic Division Farhana Taskin.

The gazette mentioned absence from workplace, misconduct and going abroad without returning to the workplace as the reasons for their dismissal.

Compulsory retirement
Besides, former assistant commissioner of DMP Tejgaon Division Kazi Mizanur Rahman has been sent on compulsory retirement. The gazette said the allegation of extramarital relationship against him was proved. This decision was taken considering it as misconduct.