The government has sent 32 more joint secretaries into forced retirement. These officials served as deputy commissioners (DCs) during the 2018 parliamentary elections.
Allegations against these officers suggest they were involved in various malpractices to keep the Sheikh Hasina-led regime in power during that election.
The officials, who hold the rank of joint secretary, had been kept as officers on special duty (OSD) for a prolonged period before the government issued the orders for their forced retirement on Monday.
On Monday, the Ministry of Public Administration issued 32 separate gazette notifications to this effect. This is considered a major administrative decision following the BNP government’s assumption of power.
The list of retired officials includes – Majedur Rahman Khan, Abul Fazal Mir, Aslam Hossain, Moinul Islam, Mohammad Daudul Islam, Md Shahriar, Kazi Abu Taher, A Z M Nurul Huq, Mizanur Rahman, Mohammad Elias Hossain, Anjan Chandra Pal, AKM Mamunur Rashid, Kamal Hossain, Mohammad Abdul Ahad, Md Jashim Uddin, Saroj Kumar Nath, Shahidul Islam, Md Wahiduzzaman, SM Aziur Rahman, Mohammad Masud Alam Siddique, Motiul Islam Chowdhury, Nazia Shirin, Sultana Parveen, Anar Koli Mahbub, Mohammad Helal Hossain, Syeda Farhana Kawnine, Sarwar Murshed Chowdhury, Mahmudul Kabir Murad, Ali Akbar, SM Abdul Kader, SM Ferdous, and Gopal Chandra Das.
According to the notifications, the officials have completed 25 years of service, and the government has deemed their retirement necessary in the public interest. Therefore, they have been retired from government service under the powers provided by Section 45 of the Public Service Act, 2018.
The notifications further stated that the officials would be entitled to retirement benefits as per the rules. These orders, issued in public interest, are to take effect immediately.
Earlier, on 20 February 2025, the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus sent 22 former Deputy Commissioners (DCs) into compulsory retirement.
These individuals had served as returning officers during three national elections under the Awami League government. Amongst them were three secretaries, 17 additional secretaries, one joint secretary, and one deputy secretary.
On 19 February 2025, the Ministry of Public Administration placed 33 joint secretaries on OSD through six notifications.
