The process has begun to send more than 100 police officers into compulsory retirement, with the order expected to be issued at any time. These officers served as district superintendents of police (SPs) or deputy commissioners (DCs) of metropolitan police units during the 11th parliamentary election held on 30 December 2018.
Several officials at the Police Headquarters confirmed the information to TIMES of Bangladesh.
A police officer holding the rank of deputy inspector general (DIG) said, “A total of 107 officers have been identified as members of the ‘vote rigging coordination committee’ and as being involved in the July 2024 killings.”
The list includes an officer from the 18th batch of the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS), along with officers from the 20th, 21st, 22nd and 24th batches. Among them, 106 were serving as SPs and one as an additional SPs at the time.
On 5 July, the home ministry sent 33 police officers into compulsory retirement. They had also served during the 11th parliamentary election. The government notification said the officers would receive retirement benefits according to existing rules.
Among those sent into retirement were 14 DIGs, 18 additional DIGs and one SP.
Earlier, on 3 May, the government sent 17 senior police officials, including DIGs, into compulsory retirement through another order. On 22 April, 11 DIGs and two additional DIGs were also sent into retirement.
Under the law, the government can retire a government employee compulsorily without citing any specific reason once the employee completes 25 years of service.
Several officials from the Police Headquarters and the home ministry said the government has adopted a strict stance towards police officials who were responsible for field-level supervision during the 11th and 12th parliamentary elections in districts and metropolitan areas.
They said the officials faced allegations of working in favour of the Awami League during what critics described as one-sided elections.
Against the name of ABM Masud Hossain, who appears at serial number 21 on the list, it has been mentioned that he was a member of the coordination committee, involved in the July killings, and also involved in the killing of Major Sinha Mohammad Rashed in Cox’s Bazar.
He served as the superintendent of police in Cox’s Bazar.
The name of DMP Tejgaon Zone Deputy Commissioner Biplob Kumar Sarkar has been marked as a member of the “vote rigging coordination committee” and as being involved in the “July killings”. However, the remarks section against 38 other deputy commissioners has been left blank.
The names of 17 officers have not been included in the list; instead, their designations during the 11th parliamentary election have been mentioned.
Another source at the Police Headquarters said the list of inspectors and sub-inspectors who allegedly acted in a biased manner during the Awami League government, going beyond professional duties, is also nearing completion.
They too will face action, the source added.
