Police Chain of Command Weakens as Intelligence Reports Allegedly Ignored in Promotions, Postings

Intelligence reports are allegedly being ignored in police promotions and postings, allowing several officers accused of favouritism under the former Awami League government to secure important field-level positions. Controversial officers are reportedly being appointed to key posts, particularly superintendent of police (SP) and officer-in-charge (OC), which play vital roles in maintaining law and order and controlling crime.

The situation has reportedly triggered widespread dissatisfaction within the police force. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Police Headquarters are struggling to restore the chain of command and ensure accountability. Crime experts say allegations of intelligence reports being ignored in police promotions and postings have become a sensitive and widely discussed issue in law enforcement administration.

Recently, a deputy inspector general (DIG) of police was promoted and transferred to another post. After his transfer from the range, he allegedly arranged the transfers of more than 300 sub-inspectors (SIs), assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs) and constables within 15 days and collected around Tk 25 crore. An intelligence source said an investigation would reveal the details of the allegations.

Crime experts and former police officials say political influence, personal lobbying and recommendations are sometimes given greater importance than professional competence and confidential intelligence reports assessing officers’ integrity, ethics and impartiality.

They warn that ignoring intelligence reports and undermining merit can weaken the chain of command and create serious dissatisfaction and frustration among field-level officers. They say the situation can improve if promotions and transfers are based on professionalism, service records and official rules, without favouritism or irregularities.

Several senior police officials, speaking to The Daily Inqilab on condition of anonymity, said giving priority to merit, experience and professional competence in promotions and postings would improve police performance, restore confidence among officers and strengthen crime control. They said the government should focus on building an impartial, skilled and merit-based police administration instead of allowing past political divisions to influence decisions.

Former Inspector General of Police Nurul Huda said the police force suffered a severe image crisis towards the end of the Awami League government’s tenure. Efforts were made to restore its reputation after the student-led mass uprising. However, he warned that assigning controversial officers to important positions would make that task more difficult.

Intelligence Report Raises Questions Over Key Appointments

An intelligence report sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs reportedly identified several police officers whose appointments and past conduct have raised questions. According to the report, Nurul Muttaqin served as the officer-in-charge of Demra, Bhatara, Turag and Lalbagh police stations under the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) during the Awami League government. After being promoted, he also served as an assistant commissioner at several DMP units. He was transferred to the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) following the student-led uprising.

Amir Hossain Serneabat served as an inspector (investigation) and sub-inspector at Shibchar Police Station in Madaripur during the Awami League government’s tenure. On March 24, he was appointed officer-in-charge of the same station. Following widespread criticism, he was withdrawn from the post four days after taking charge.

Abdul Majid served as the officer-in-charge of Muktagachha and Nandail police stations under the former government. He was also an OC during the controversial 2024 election. On April 30, he was appointed OC of Kendua Police Station in Netrokona. After the appointment sparked controversy, he was removed the following day and attached to the district police.

Police officer Saiful Islam has faced allegations of celebrating the birthday of fugitive former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, participating in partisan political programmes, and harassing and torturing BNP leaders and activists while serving as OC of Purbadhala Police Station in Netrokona. Despite these allegations, Saiful Islam has now been appointed OC of Khilgaon Police Station under the DMP, raising questions in various quarters.

Contacted by The Daily Inqilab, Khilgaon OC Mohammad Saiful Islam said, “At that time, I did what was required under the rules. I have no comment on this matter.”

Allegations Against Other Police Officials

Mohammad Mahabub Alam, OC of Fatullah Police Station in Narayanganj, also served in the same capacity under the Awami League government. He has faced allegations of exploiting arrests involving BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists and implicating them in false cases.

A written complaint containing 11 allegations against him was submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs. However, the complaint has reportedly not been investigated. Denying the allegations, Fatullah OC Mohammad Mahabub Alam told The Daily Inqilab, “The allegations brought against me are false and conspiratorial.”

The report also names several other police officials and raises questions about their past roles, current postings and professional records. ASP Sayem Noman, described in the report as having links to the Bangladesh Chhatra League, is currently serving in an important DMP position. The report alleges that he secured the posting through the influence of an additional inspector general of police at Police Headquarters.

Mobasshira Habib Khan, a 30th Bangladesh Civil Service (Police) batch officer, served as additional superintendent of police (DB) in Dhaka district until August 5, 2024. The report alleges that she remained in regular telephone contact with Arafat, a detective branch inspector of Dhaka district police who was arrested in connection with the burning of the bodies of five people inside a leguna in Ashulia.

She later served as additional superintendent of police (cyber) at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under the interim government. She is currently studying in South Korea on educational leave. Shahnewaz Raju, another 30th BCS (Police) officer, served as a senior assistant director in the intelligence wing of Ziaul Ahsan in 2014–15 and later worked for an extended period in the Lawful Interception Cell (LIC) at Police Headquarters as an assistant superintendent and additional superintendent of police. He received the Bangladesh Police Medal (BPM) and President’s Police Medal (PPM).

He is currently serving as an additional superintendent of police in the Cyber and Financial Crime division of the CID. The report also mentions his participation in a week-long Backpack Analyzer course in the United Kingdom in October 2025, during the interim government’s tenure. The course was related to technology used for surveillance and interception.

Mohammad Moniruzzaman Fakir, an additional superintendent of police and member of the 30th BCS (Police) batch, is accused of involvement in firing on students and members of the public while serving in Madaripur during the July uprising. Under the interim government, he was posted to the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) in Dhaka. From August 1, 2026, he reportedly went to Texas, United States, on a four-year educational secondment.

Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, another 30th BCS (Police) officer, faced a murder case over allegations of firing on students and members of the public while serving as additional deputy commissioner in Motijheel during the July uprising. Three murder cases against him are reportedly under investigation by the DMP’s Detective Branch in Motijheel. He is currently on a waiting list for an overseas mission.

Nadia Jui, a 30th BCS (Police) officer, is serving as additional superintendent of police (operations) at the 11th Armed Police Battalion in Uttara, Dhaka. The report describes her as being close to Habib and Asaduzzaman Mia, who were allegedly recruited under the influence of HT Imam. She is also awaiting deployment on an overseas mission.

Mohammad Ashiq Hasan, an additional superintendent of police from the 34th BCS (Police) batch, served as staff officer to former DMP Commissioner Khandaker Golam Faruq and as additional deputy commissioner (administration). He later served as ADC (administration) under Habib and as ADC in the Tejgaon division when Biplab Kumar Sarkar was its deputy commissioner. After August 2024, he worked as an additional superintendent of police at PBI Headquarters. He is currently in the United States on educational leave.

The allegations and claims concerning the named officers were presented in the report; independent verification of each allegation was not provided in the material.

Complaints of Favouritism and Irregularities

Several police officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Police Headquarters appeared more focused on promotions and postings than on restoring normal police operations at the field level. They alleged that many professional officers were being deprived of opportunities, including some who had faced discrimination under the Sheikh Hasina government. They claimed that transfer and promotion lists included not only officers previously considered deprived but also those favoured through personal connections and lobbying. Allegations of bribery have also emerged in some cases.

According to the officials, some officers who helped turn the police force into an instrument of repression under the former government were now being reinstated through promotions, postings and transfers. They expressed frustration over the failure to identify and take appropriate legal action against officers accused of wrongdoing.

Experts say the crisis in relations between the police and the public persists because of the unethical use of force by some officers under the previous government. Without addressing these issues, restoring normal conditions will take considerable time.

They called for meaningful and timely police reforms and for rebuilding the force as a public service institution. Recruitment, transfers, postings and promotions should be free from partisan and political influence, they said.

Experts also stressed that officers who served the former authoritarian government and were allegedly involved in filing false cases, killings, enforced disappearances and harassment of ordinary citizens—particularly BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists—must be held accountable under the law. Failure to take action against officers accused of such conduct, they warned, would deepen public dissatisfaction and frustration.

Officers Claim They Were Denied Promotions Under Awami League Rule

Several police officers who described themselves as victims of discrimination under the previous government said they had been blacklisted because of their involvement in Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal during their student years or their links to BNP-supporting families. They said they had been denied promotions and appointments to important units during the Awami League’s tenure.

The officers said they had hoped their careers would improve after the BNP formed the government. However, they alleged that officers associated with the previous regime were once again being reinstated through undisclosed influence.