Police Officers Linked to Awami League Put Under Surveillance

After an audio recording containing remarks about the government, police and various other forces went viral, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Dhaka Cantonment Police Station Md. Rakibul Hasan was withdrawn on Thursday and attached to the DMP headquarters. Later that night, he was taken to the office of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB).

A three-member committee has been formed to investigate the release of the audio involving Md. Rakibul Hasan, which has drawn widespread attention. A DB official said Rakibul Hasan was taken to the DB office as part of the ongoing inquiry into the audio. Under the rules, such an inquiry is required before any action can be taken.

Members of the investigation committee are questioning him at the DB office on Minto Road. They are particularly examining the call records of his official and personal mobile phones, as well as who he communicated with by phone. They are also looking into whether he had any links with Awami League leaders.

He was taken into DB custody on Thursday night. However, although several officials concerned were contacted by phone on Friday evening, none of them could confirm Rakibul Hasan’s whereabouts.

Meanwhile, there has been discussion in various quarters about some police personnel who were recruited or posted on political considerations during the previous Awami League government. Allegations have emerged that some of them leaked advance information about police operations to fugitive Awami League leaders and assisted them. Some have also been accused of maintaining contact with fugitive police officers.

Based on these allegations and intelligence reports, the police administration has increased internal surveillance. Following the release of Rakibul Hasan’s audio, police officers who benefited during the Awami League rule have been placed under surveillance.

Meanwhile, questions have been raised about the role of responsible police officers after they failed to prevent Awami League activities and sudden processions despite the ban. Even senior leaders of the ruling BNP have raised questions about the role of law enforcement agencies.

The BNP alleged, “They (the Awami League) gathered so many people. What are the intelligence agencies and the police administration doing?” Following this, the police issued new instructions at the field level to prevent Awami League activities. A senior police official said that if Awami League activities are still found in any area, the responsible police officers of that area will have to take responsibility.

Departmental disciplinary action will be taken against them. As part of this process, OC of Gulshan Police Station Daud Hossain and Deputy Commissioner of Gulshan Division M Tanvir Ahmed were already withdrawn following an Awami League procession in Gulshan last Friday. However, the DMP order cited “administrative reasons” for their withdrawal.

Meanwhile, before the withdrawal order against Dhaka Cantonment Police Station OC Rakibul Hasan, an audio recording allegedly involving him was circulated on social media. In the recording, referring to Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death in a crimes-against-humanity case, the speaker is heard saying that if she returns to Bangladesh next December, the police “will not be able to do anything. The police on the streets are very weak.” The recording also contains allegations that “senior police officers are leaning towards the government” and are involved in “bribery in postings.”

Sources said the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has formed a three-member investigation committee to investigate the viral audio clip involving withdrawn OC Md. Rakibul Hasan. The committee includes officials from the DMP headquarters and the Detective Branch, as well as an experienced official from the police cyber unit.

The specific names of the committee members have not been officially disclosed to the media for the sake of the investigation. The three-member committee is examining the authenticity and contents of the viral audio. As part of the inquiry, OC Rakibul Hasan is being questioned at the DB office on Minto Road.

Meanwhile, a legal notice has been served demanding legal action against withdrawn OC Md. Rakibul Hasan under the sedition law. S.M. Zulfikar Ali Juno, chairman of the National Lawyers Council and a lawyer of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, sent the notice on Thursday. The Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the DMP Commissioner have been named as respondents in the legal notice.

The notice demanded an impartial and transparent investigation into the authenticity, source, possible editing or manipulation of the circulated audio recording, as well as the role of those involved with it. It also sought legal action if the investigation finds the legal elements and evidence of the offence of sedition.

The notice also mentioned that, if deemed necessary for the investigation, restrictions could be imposed on the concerned person’s travel abroad. It is learnt that Rakibul Hasan previously served at the Islamic University (IB) Police Station and Kumarkhali Police Station in Kushtia. During that period, he was active in suppressing the BNP and other opposition parties.

He was also seen attending various Awami League party programmes, including events organised on March 17 to mark the birth anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, where he was seen setting off fireworks and cutting cakes. After August 5, Rakibul Hasan was posted as the OC of Vatara Police Station under the DMP. He later became the OC of Gulshan Police Station. Most recently, he was posted as the OC of Cantonment Police Station.