Eleven police officials, including a sub-inspector, have been suspended in Kishoreganj in connection with allegations of taking ‘unethical benefits’ for allegedly allowing former revenue board official Matiur Rahman to hold a secret meeting while in custody.
Kishoreganj superintendent of police Mohammad Hasan Chowdhury confirmed the suspension while talking to journalists on Saturday, saying that ‘Whenever allegations are raised against any of our members, we take action as per the law. This is no exception.’
The suspended are sub-inspector Abul Kashem and constables Moniruzzaman, Md Kabir Hossain, Imran, Nirjan Khan, Shamim Alam, Md Rony Hossain, Shariful Islam, Tanvir Rahman, Md Abu Said Mia and Rabindra Das.
A police probe report recommended action against them for ‘taking bribes and engaging in misconduct in violation of the departmental discipline’ by allowing Matiur Rahman, widely known for his son’s ‘goat scandal’, to hold a meeting secretly on August 12.
On that day, after Matiur had appeared before the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court, the prison van carrying him to Kishoreganj stopped in front of Nirala Haddi Hotel & Restaurant in Narsingdi.
Matiur remained there for nearly an hour, from around 5:15pm, accompanied by the escorting police vehicle.
Videos that went viral showed Matiur leaving the van, dining in a private room, and walking around closely with a man in white clothes, chatting in a friendly manner, while police appeared to act normally.
The video footage sparked public outcry, a three-member investigation committee led by the additional superintendent of police for crime and operations of Kishoreganj was formed to probe the incident.
The committee found that the 11 policemen had engaged in bribery, misconduct, ill motives, and actions that severely tarnished the image of the force in public.
Based on the report, the district police authorities decided for their suspension.
Matiur went into early retirement past year amid graft allegations that surfaced after his son bought a goat for Tk 15 lakh for Eid-ul-Azha.
On January 14, Detective Branch of police arrested Matiur Rahman and his wife Laila Kaniz over graft cases.
On January 6, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed three cases against Matiur and his family members over amassing illegal assets.
