A section of policemen are still allegedly resorting to corruption and other unethical activities like extortion despite the interim government’s efforts to restore law and order in the country following the fall of Sheikh Hasina regime.
After the political changeover, the Bangladesh Police pledged to regain its lost image by earning the confidence and trust of the people, but some policemen are still involved in various misdeeds, sources alleged.
After the fall of Sheikh Hasina led government, according to the Police Headquarters, some 100 cases were filed against some members of the police for extortion in last 40 days.
The Bus and Truck Owners Association on September 18 filed a complaint with the Traffic Department of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) against some members of the traffic police over extortion from their transports.
The association leaders urged the DMP commissioner to look into the matter, saying said that they want an immediate end to the unethical practices, and any harassment by the members of the traffic police.
More than 2,000 goods-laden trucks and lorries enter the capital every night. Of them, some 500 trucks enter the capital through Demra Staff Quarter Road alone.
Truck owners alleged that they have to pay Tk 2,000 as toll to traffic police per day while Tk 500 to Tk 700 to influential people in the name of the city corporation permit.
Saiful Islam, joint convener of the Bus and Truck Owners Association, told the Bangladesh Post that they have already filed a complaint with the DMP over extortion by the traffic police. On August 5, the Bangladesh Police made a commitment to properly deal with the people by maintaining their code of conduct.
However, field reports give a different picture, as some traffic police are still resorting to corrupt practices, particularly extortion.
According to sources at Police Headquarters, since August 5, a total of 1,013 cases have been filed against police officers over various offenses and 17 police officers have been sent into forced retirement.
The sources also said that since August, a total 1,187 police officers have remained absent from their workplace. Those yet to join work include one Deputy Inspector General (DIG), seven Additional DIGs, two Superintendents of Police, and several others with different ranks.
The absence of these police officers raises question as to whether they are involved in any wrongdoings.
Of the police officers remaining absent from workplace, 96 are on extended leave, 49 have remained absent without notice, three have voluntarily resigned and 39 are absent for different other reasons.
Meanwhile, legal action is underway against some of these police officers, confirmed by AIG Media Inamul Hoque Sagar. The police department is currently conducting internal investigation to bring these corrupt officers to justice.
Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has also issued a warning, stating that those police officers, who have not yet join work and are in hiding, will face stern action.
There are allegations against police officers, particularly those stationed in Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), for amassing huge wealth. New cases have been filed against 15 police inspectors with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
One high-profile case involves Inspector Anwar Khan, stationed at Gulshan Police Station for a year after serving at Vatara police station. His wealth includes a restaurant named ‘Gyros’ in Gulshan. Masud Rana, a manager of Amari Bar is the co-owner of the restaurant.
Anwar Khan has made a fortune allegedly through illegal means. He, however, denied the allegation.
Another Sub-Inspector (SI) from the CID, Oliullah, is currently under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for amassing illegal wealth.
An official involved with the investigation said there is no precedent that someone with such a low-ranking position have made such huge wealth in a short period.
Oliullah began his career in 2001, joining the police as a constable. He became Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) in 2015 and Sub-Inspector in 2018.
However, recent actions by the ACC reignited scrutiny of his financial activities as his wealth is estimated to be around Tk 100 crore. His ancestral home is located at Kolunka village under Mohanjang upazila in Netrakona.
ACC sources confirm that Oliullah has amassed assets through corrupt practices and bribery.
Although his total wealth is yet to be known, some of his visible assets include a four-story house in Rajarbagh, Dhaka, a six-story building near Modern Sadar Hospital in Netrakona, a multi-story building in Mymensingh and a 40-unit plot near the new jail area in Dhaka.
Additional properties include two large plots behind the Women’s College and at the Thana Corner in Mohanjang town, a plot worth Tk 3 crore near the Semaikona bridge area and a house on a 10-unit plot in Dharampasha town in Sunamganj.
Besides, Oliullah owns 25 acres of cultivable land in his village, which is valued at around Tk 10 crore. He has also invested in two large fish ponds.
When contacted, Oliullah declined to make any comments about the allegations against him.
Iftikharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), said institutions like the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) must be reorganised and this will help identify and hold corrupt individuals accountable.
About extortion, he said that these corrupt practices spread beyond the city. Bus drivers frequently bring allegation of extortion against policemen at major transit points in the capital, he added.
Khurshid, a bus driver, said that they have to pay toll to police every day. They (police) collect toll ranging from Tk 100 to Tk 300, depending on the number of passengers, he added.
Mostafa, who drives a passenger bus on Route No. 8 said that a syndicate of police members active in Gabtoli, forced all the drivers to pay a big amount of illegal toll.
Extortion by policemen is widespread in areas such as Gabtoli, Khamarbari, Mirpur-1, Postogola, and Dhaka-Chattogram Highway.
A DMP Traffic Department member, on condition of anonymity, said that even low-ranking police officers in these areas own houses and cars.
When contacted, DMP Traffic Department Joint Commissioner Mohammad Kamruzzaman (South) told the Bangladesh Post that the police are actively working to restore order on the highways.
He also said that action will be taken against any police officers who will be found guilty of taking bribe or illegal toll, urging all members of the society to play their role in combating corruption.
