Inspector General Tenders Early Resignation

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Baharul Alam, has submitted his resignation to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Home Affairs, though as of Sunday afternoon there had been no official confirmation that it had been accepted. The development has introduced a degree of uncertainty within the country’s top law enforcement office at a politically sensitive moment.

Mr Alam, who has been serving on a contractual basis, chaired a routine high-level meeting at Police Headquarters on Sunday morning. The session focused in part on security preparations for International Mother Language Day on 21 February, a date of profound national significance in Bangladesh. It was during this meeting that he informed senior colleagues of his intention to step down.

According to officials present, several senior officers urged him to reconsider his decision. While he refrained from making a definitive statement during the meeting itself, he later proceeded to forward his resignation letter formally to the Ministry of Home Affairs. A ministry official confirmed that the letter had been received but stated that there was no information indicating that it had yet been approved.

Under administrative rules, a resignation does not take effect until formally accepted by the appropriate authority. A senior official observed that while any office-holder may submit a resignation, the decision to accept it rests at the highest level of government. Until such approval is granted, Mr Alam technically remains in post as IGP.

Background to the Appointment

Mr Alam’s appointment followed a period of significant political transition. After the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August 2024, a number of key administrative posts were reshuffled. On 21 November 2024, the interim government appointed Mr Alam—who had previously retired from the police service in 2020—as IGP on a two-year contractual basis.

His contract was due to run until 20 November 2026. However, his decision to resign comes several months before the scheduled end of his tenure. Notably, in January this year, he surrendered his official passport and applied for an ordinary passport, prompting speculation in some quarters about his future intentions.

Several police officials have indicated, on condition of anonymity, that Mr Alam had privately expressed a desire to step aside even shortly after assuming office. Sunday’s submission of his resignation letter appears to confirm those earlier indications.

Current Status and Next Steps

Sources within the Ministry suggest there is no immediate plan to accept the resignation. A new government is scheduled to take office on Tuesday, and officials have reportedly advised that the resignation be resubmitted to the incoming administration after it is sworn in. The matter therefore remains pending and subject to political and administrative consideration.

Below is a summary of key details relating to Mr Alam’s tenure:

The situation underscores the complexities of leadership transitions within the security sector, particularly during periods of governmental change. Until a formal decision is taken, Baharul Alam remains the country’s serving Inspector General of Police.