Cop suspended for trying to exonerate Anisul, Salman, Zia

A police officer has been suspended for attempting to exonerate former Law Minister Anisul Haque, former adviser to the prime minister Salman F Rahman, and former NTMC chief Major General (retd) Ziaul Ahsan in two murder cases stemming from the July-August student uprising.

The officer, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Branch (DB) Ramna Inspector Md Jahangir Arif, allegedly tried to submit final reports acquitting the trio without proper authorisation. The irregularity was discovered before the reports could reach court, prompting a fresh investigation.

Documents and police sources indicate that Inspector Jahangir Arif attempted to submit the reports by misrepresenting himself as an officer of New Market Police Station, bypassing the mandatory approval process from senior DB officials.

Further scrutiny revealed that he failed to obtain the required signatures on the Memo of Evidence from supervising officers, assistant commissioners, and higher-ranking officials. These signatures are mandatory when submitting charge sheets or final reports in important cases.

After the irregularity came to light, Inspector Arif went on leave, citing illness. 

He was suspended on Sunday following recommendations from DB Chief Additional Commissioner Rezaul Karim Mallick.

The cases relate to the deaths of Sabuj Mia and Md Shahjahan Mia during the anti-discrimination student movement. Sabuj was beaten to death, while Shah-Jahan was shot dead in Dhaka's New Market area on July 16.

Family members of the victims, Sabuj's cousin Md Nur Nabi and Shah-Jahan's mother Ayesha Begum, filed separate cases at New Market Police Station.

Anisul Haque and Salman F Rahman were arrested on August 13 after the fall of the Awami League government in a student uprising on August 5. Major General Zia was arrested on August 16 following his discharge from the army.

DB Chief Rezaul Karim Mallick emphasised the need for accountability, saying that an investigation is underway to identify others who may have been complicit in the irregularities.

“This attempt to manipulate the legal process is unacceptable. Stern action will be taken against all involved,” he said.

The incident underscores the importance of strict adherence to procedural protocols in sensitive cases and raises questions about oversight within the police investigation process.