The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Mirpur Model Police Station, Mohammad Golam Azam, has been summarily withdrawn from his post following a formal complaint of bribery. In an official directive issued on Friday, 1 May, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) ordered his immediate attachment to the Central Records Office within the Administration Division at the DMP headquarters.
The withdrawal, signed by Acting DMP Commissioner Md. Sarwar, follows a series of allegations that the officer exploited his position for financial gain. This administrative relocation is a standard procedural step intended to isolate an officer from their precinct and potential evidence while a formal inquiry is conducted.
Administrative Reassignment and Official Stance
On Saturday, 2 May, Md. Mostaque Sarkar, the Deputy Commissioner for the DMP’s Mirpur Division, confirmed the transfer. He characterised the move as being for “administrative reasons,” noting that a permanent successor for the leadership of the Mirpur Model Police Station has yet to be named.
Despite the timing of the move, Deputy Commissioner Sarkar maintained a cautious stance regarding the underlying cause. When asked by journalists if the bribery allegations were the primary driver for the OC’s removal, he stated that he could not confirm a direct correlation until the ongoing investigation reached a definitive conclusion. He emphasised the importance of due process in maintaining the integrity of the force.
Chronology of the Bribery Allegation
The formal complaint that triggered this administrative shift was filed on 26 April by a local resident, Samsad Ara Sathi. The withdrawal of the officer occurred exactly five days after her written statement reached the DMP Commissioner’s office.
The complainant’s allegations detail a sophisticated scheme of extortion related to a property dispute:
The Transaction: Sathi alleges that she was coerced into paying a total of 500,000 BDT (five lakh) to the Officer-in-Charge across two separate instalments.
Facilitation: The complaint asserts that Mohammad Golam Azam did not act alone, but allegedly used two Sub-Inspectors (SIs) from the Mirpur Model Police Station to act as intermediaries for the collection of the funds.
Breach of Agreement: The bribe was reportedly intended to secure police assistance in reclaiming a market property from illegal occupants. Sathi claims that despite the payment, no such assistance was rendered.
Escalation: The victim reported that following the payment, she was physically assaulted by the occupants of the market. Furthermore, she alleged that the OC continued to demand more money, leaving her with no alternative but to approach the DMP Commissioner directly.
Procedural Implications and Internal Inquiry
In a telephone interview on Saturday evening, Samsad Ara Sathi expressed awareness of the officer’s withdrawal but noted that she had not received a formal update regarding the status of her specific complaint.
The Mirpur Model Police Station is a critical administrative hub within the capital’s law enforcement structure. The removal of its chief under allegations of corruption is a significant event that draws intense public scrutiny. Within the Bangladesh Police framework, “attachment” to headquarters serves as a preventative measure to ensure that an officer under investigation cannot exert influence over subordinates or tamper with official precinct logs and evidence.
The DMP’s internal affairs division is expected to conduct a thorough probe into the allegations involving the two Sub-Inspectors as well as the OC. If the investigation validates the claims of extortion and failure of duty, the officers could face severe departmental proceedings, including permanent dismissal from the service and potential criminal prosecution. For the time being, the precinct remains under temporary leadership as the DMP seeks to restore administrative stability.