TDS Desk:

The “ghosts” of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed are still active in the force. These “ghosts” remain in key positions within the department. Many of the most critical decisions of this public-serving institution continue to be influenced by their advice. Yet, these same officers had various roles in aiding Benazir’s massive corruption. They, too, have accumulated mountains of corruption. During the tenure of former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, some of these individuals were temporarily transferred outside Dhaka, leading them to portray themselves as “victims.”

Those familiar with the situation say officers known to be aligned with Benazir made efforts after 5 August to present themselves as “marginalised” on social media. It has been revealed that during the anti-discrimination student movement in July-August, the police indiscriminately opened fire at students and the public. In these shootings, at least 1,000 people, including students and individuals from various professions, were killed, and several thousand were injured. Over a hundred police officers were masterminds in orchestrating these shootings. A report by an organisation has highlighted these facts.

The report said that Additional IGP Shahabuddin Khan, a 15th batch officer and head of the Highway Police, worked closely with the policymakers at Police Headquarters to suppress the anti-discrimination student movement. He directly instructed the Highway Police to open fire. As a close associate of Benazir, he was among the top beneficiaries of promotions and postings during the previous government.

Several DIG-rank officers, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that many senior and junior officers were close to former IGP Benazir in various ways. During the tenure of the next IGP (former) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, they were posted in less important positions. Now, they are trying to align themselves with the influential figures of the present time through various means.

The report mentioned that Barrister Md. Harun Or Rashid, an Additional IGP of the 15th batch, served as the Director General of the Elite Force. While serving with RAB, he ordered shooting from the helicopter at students and the public during the anti-discrimination student movement. He also threatened the media to prevent news coverage of RAB’s direct shooting and other forceful actions against students and the public. He was a key leader of the syndicate involved in recruitment corruption under the former Home Minister and personally took substantial bribes, depriving talented and qualified candidates of jobs. Besides this, he was also accused of massive irregularities and corruption in procurement and software development during his tenure in the ICT branch at Police Headquarters.

Sources said Benazir’s another close associate Railway Police Additional IGP Debdas Bhattacharya used to put immense pressure on all SPs (Superintendents of Police) to register false cases, arrest, and torture opposition leaders and activists during his tenure as DIG of the Rangpur Range. Sources also report that Additional IGP Selim Md. Jahangir of the 15th BCS, who served as the head of the APBN, worked for a long time in the NSI and also served in the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi. As the head of the APBN, he ordered indiscriminate shootings on students. He also used his influence from Gopalganj to exert power.

Another 17th batch officer, Bashir Ahmed, who served as the head of Police Telecom, was promoted to Supernumerary Additional IGP during the previous government. Self-proclaimed Additional IGP of the 17th batch, Md. Mizanur Rahman, who served as the Superintendent of Police in RRF, was reported in the media multiple times for illegal business activities and land grabbing. Allegations also include attempts to bypass employment regulations and secure various advantages by exerting illegal influence due to being a resident of Tungipara, Gopalganj.

Sources indicate that DIG Rezaul Haider of the 18th BCS, serving as DIG of the Central Police Hospital, and DIG Aminul Islam of the 18th BCS, DIG (Administration) at Police Headquarters, were key figures in Benazir Ahmed’s syndicate. DIG Amena Begum of the same batch implemented Benazir’s directives with precision from Special Branch. DIG Azad Mia and Shyamal Kumar Nath were also among Benazir’s close associates, both having served as former SPs of Cox’s Bazar. After Benazir became IGP, at least 10 officers of the 20th batch operated under his direction. These officers were the primary executors and advisors of all misdeeds. DIG Mostak Ahmed Khan of this batch is now with APBN, former Commissioner of Sylhet Metropolitan Police, and former DIG Barishal Range Ilyas Sharif is currently with ATU. Former Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Anisur Rahman, former DIG of Khulna Range Moinul Haque, and former DIG of Dhaka Range Syed Nurul Islam were close to Benazir. One of the key witnesses of Benazir’s misdeeds was Ayub Hossain of the 24th BCS. He implemented Benazir’s agenda as AIG (PIO) at the time. He was supported by Recruitment and Career Planning-2, Personal Management-2, and Additional DIG Sunanda Roy, among others. Additional DIGs Shyamal Kumar Mukherjee of the 21st BCS, Khondakar Nurunnabi of the 22nd BCS, Sanjit Kumar Roy, and Abida Sultana were always in Benazir Ahmed’s good books. During Benazir’s tenure, Additional DIG Proloy Kumar Joardar of the 24th BCS commanded significant respect from police officers.

Among Benazir’s close associates were former SP of Narayanganj, Madaripur Golam Mostafa Russell, former SP of Gopalganj Al Beli Afifa, former SP of Gazipur and former head of SB Monirul Islam’s brother-in-law Qazi Shafiqul Alam, former AIG Multimedia, and former SP of Sherpur and Jamalpur Md. Kamruzzaman. Former SP of Dhaka District Md. Asaduzzaman from the same batch is also mentioned.

However, the name of Additional Superintendent of Police Shaheda Sultana of the 30th BCS repeatedly comes up from beginning to end. She was responsible for the security of Benazir’s wife. When Benazir was DG of RAB, Shaheda was with RAB. When Benazir became IGP, she joined the IGP’s section as the protocol officer for the IGP’s wife. Later, when Benazir retired as IGP, she was again posted as Senior Assistant Director (Ops) in the Operations Wing at RAB Headquarters. Even while working with RAB, she used her influence to help Benazir pass through immigration when he left the country.

Dr. Touhidul Haque, Associate Professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research at Dhaka University, and an expert on society and crime, told Bangladesh Pratidin that fundamental reform in the police is now a demand of the times. Members of this force should not surrender themselves as enforcers of any political party. The police should understand that they are for the state and the people. If legal procedures are followed in understanding this, it will bring relief to the public concerning the police.

It is noteworthy that former IGPs Shahidul Haque and Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun have been arrested by law enforcement in connection with the student killings during the anti-discrimination student movement. They have provided significant information during remand interrogation. A total of 284 cases have been filed across various police stations of the DMP against 95 police officers directly involved in and leading the massacre during the movement. These cases were filed from August 13 until yesterday, with the highest number of cases, 91, filed at Jatrabari Police Station. Recently, several mastermind police officers have been forced into retirement.