Eleven police personnel, including six senior officers, have been suspended following the assault of Swecchasebak Dal leader Rakibuzzaman Rakib and the harassment of a couple inside a police station in Rangpur.
The Rangpur Metropolitan Police (RMP) Deputy Police Commissioner (Headquarters & Administration) Habibur Rahman signed the suspension orders late Thursday based on the findings of a special investigation committee.
The officers suspended include Sub-Inspectors Masud Rana, Alam Badsha, Aktarul Islam, ASI Monirul Islam, Ariful Islam, Meherunnesa, and constables Mushfiqul Rahman, Muklesur Rahman, Rakib Ahmed, Lima Saren, and Bhavna Rani.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kotwali Police Station Azad Rahman has been withdrawn from duty and reassigned to the Khulna Range as the investigation continues.
According to the committee, preliminary findings show “deliberate negligence, incompetence, unprofessional conduct, and misconduct” on the part of the suspended officers.
Citing the Public Service Rules 880 and the Government Service Act, 2018, the committee recommended their suspension.
During this period, the officers will remain attached to the police lines and will receive subsistence allowances.
The investigation revealed that on 3 May, a young couple who had left home without family consent to get married, were brought to the police station.
Rakibuzzaman Rakib, the member secretary of the Rangpur Sadar Upazila unit of the Swecchasebak Dal, intervened to prevent the couple from being beaten by officers, and in response, he himself was assaulted.
CCTV footage confirmed that the beatings were carried out in two separate incidents, including one led by the then OC Azad Rahman.
Following the incident, several officers were immediately withdrawn from duty, and OC Azad Rahman was transferred to the Khulna Range on 4 June.
The investigation committee, led by Deputy Police Commissioner Habibur Rahman, submitted its report on 11 June, prompting the suspension of the 11 officers.
Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Mabud stated that disciplinary measures have been recommended against all involved.
“Anyone involved in activities that tarnish the police’s image will face strict action,” he said.
