Four Lalmonirhat Police Officers Withdrawn Over Alleged Bribery in Drug Suspect Release
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Four police officers in Lalmonirhat’s Hatibandha upazila were withdrawn and reassigned to police lines last Thursday following allegations that they accepted a bribe to release a suspected drug trafficker along with his vehicle. The district police administration has launched a formal investigation into the incident, establishing a three-member committee to determine the validity of the claims.
The officers facing disciplinary action are Sub-Inspectors Rimon Mia and Tuhin Mia, alongside Assistant Sub-Inspectors Abdul Hakim and Lutfor Rahman. District Superintendent of Police Md. Asraful Zaman confirmed that if the investigation confirms misconduct, the department will move forward with formal administrative and legal proceedings against the individuals involved.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The investigation committee, led by Additional Superintendent of Police Shahadot Hossain, has been tasked with submitting a comprehensive report within seven working days. The committee also includes the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Hatibandha Police Station, Ashrafuzzaman Sarker, and the OC of the district’s detective branch, Rowshan Kabir. Attempts to reach the accused officers for comment were unsuccessful, as their mobile phones remained unreachable.
Reports from local sources and the police superintendent’s office indicate that the incident occurred on the afternoon of July 17. The four officers reportedly brought a suspected drug dealer from the border region to the Bhelaguri Union Parishad office, accompanied by a white private car, an abandoned motorcycle, and illicit narcotics. Witnesses allege that with the assistance of two union council members and a village guard, the officers accepted a substantial bribe to release the suspect and return the vehicle.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The incident was captured on CCTV cameras installed at the union parishad office. While one village guard, Rabiul Islam, confirmed he was asked by an officer to provide paper for a document the suspect signed, he claimed ignorance regarding the contents of the statement. Another village guard, Md. Shamim, noted that an individual from Rangpur later arrived to claim the motorcycle that had been left at the site.
Additional Superintendent Shahadot Hossain confirmed that the committee has already visited the site and is actively conducting its inquiry. The findings are expected to be finalized and submitted within the mandated timeframe.
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