Former Detective Branch (DB) chief Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid has been dismissed from service along with five other police officers, while another officer has been sent into compulsory retirement over prolonged absence from duty, disobedience of official orders and misconduct.
The Home Ministry issued separate notifications on Saturday, confirming the disciplinary actions against seven police officers following departmental inquiries.
Harun-or-Rashid, who last served as an additional commissioner (Crime and Operations) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), was dismissed over unauthorised absence from duty since August 6, 2024.
The other five dismissed officers are former Additional DIG Shyamal Kumar Mukherjee, former Rajshahi Range DIG Md Anisur Rahman, former DMP Assistant Commissioners Farhana Taskin and Md Moniruzzaman Sarker, and former Additional Superintendent of Police SM Jahangir Hossain.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Kazi Mizanur Rahman, who was serving in the Criminal Investigation Department's (CID) Dinajpur district, has been placed on compulsory retirement over misconduct.
According to the ministry notifications, the disciplinary actions followed departmental investigations that established the allegations, recommendations from the Public Service Commission (PSC) and approval from the President under the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018.
Harun-or-Rashid remained absent from duty without permission from August 6, 2024. Despite repeated attempts to contact him at his current and permanent addresses and through email, he did not return to work.
A departmental inquiry established the charge of desertion, leading to his dismissal with effect from August 6, 2024.
Shyamal Kumar Mukherjee, formerly posted at the Tourist Police, was attached to the office of the Rajshahi Range DIG on January 1, 2025. After joining on January 22, he submitted a departure report seeking a three-week rest period but did not return after the stipulated time. He was dismissed with effect from January 22, 2025.
Former Rajshahi Range DIG Md Anisur Rahman joined the River Police on August 27, 2024. He later submitted a report citing illness but failed to specify the duration of his leave or provide the required supporting documents. Despite repeated notices, he did not rejoin duty.
A departmental inquiry established charges of misconduct and desertion against him. His dismissal took effect from February 17, 2025.
Former DMP Assistant Commissioner Farhana Taskin was dismissed for failing to return after travelling to Canada on a 42-day foreign leave on February 15, 2018.
She subsequently sought an extension on health grounds and applied for study leave to pursue a three-year Certified Public Accountant (CPA) course at a Canadian educational institution. The ministry rejected her application and instructed her to return to Bangladesh, but she did not comply. Her dismissal took effect from March 28, 2018.
Former DMP Assistant Commissioner Md Moniruzzaman Sarker travelled to the United Kingdom in 2012 on deputation to pursue a PhD in criminology at Kingston University.
After receiving several extensions of unpaid leave, he sought another two-year extension. The request was rejected, and he was instructed to return to duty. He failed to comply and was dismissed with effect from July 1, 2019.
Former Additional Superintendent of Police SM Jahangir Hossain, who was posted in the Tangail region of the River Police, travelled abroad on a 15-day leave on October 8, 2024.
His subsequent application for a 60-day extension was rejected, but he did not return to duty. Following a departmental inquiry, he was dismissed with effect from October 23, 2024.
Meanwhile, ASP Kazi Mizanur Rahman was sent into compulsory retirement over allegations of misconduct involving the wife of a constable of Barishal Metropolitan Police.
According to departmental records, he allegedly developed an extramarital relationship with the woman after becoming acquainted with her through Facebook in April 2022. The departmental inquiry found the allegation established, citing observations made in a court case concerning the matter.
The notifications, signed by Home Ministry Senior Secretary Manzur Morshed Chowdhury on behalf of the President, directed that the disciplinary orders take immediate effect.