Photo: Collected
One of the main corruption allegations against various levels of government officials over the past few months has been against the police. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has already filed multiple cases against several former and current police officials. Allegations have been raised that crime and corruption within the police force have increased as a result of growing political involvement.
Analysts say that, while not all police officers are corrupt, many are involved in some form of corruption. Police crime is not being stopped due to the illegal acquisition of wealth, and no measures are being taken. Moreover, due to the extensive increase in political involvement, many officers have become reckless.
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), told The Daily Messenger, “The police, despite being the custodians of the law, have proved themselves to be devourers of the institution for various reasons. Politically influenced by corruption and abuse of power, the police have become a dysfunctional institution.”
It is known that despite various reports of corruption involving police officers, from constables to top positions, being published in the media, there is also the question of how vocal the Anti-Corruption Commission is against them. However, the ACC claim they have a zero-tolerance policy regarding corruption. Allegations are being received and action is being taken after investigations.
Although there have been accusations of corruption against the police for a long time, after the disclosure of information about the corruption of former IGP Benazir Ahmed, there has been widespread discussion and criticism on the matter. The ACC has launched an investigation against former police chief Benazir Ahmed for allegedly acquiring illegal wealth through corruption. In the meantime, there have been reports of illegal wealth amounting to hundreds of crores of takas amassed by this former police officer.
Regarding this, former Inspector General of Police Nurul Huda told The Daily Messenger, “The responsibility of stopping this corruption rests on the administrative and political executives. Because they show laxity for some reason, those who are corrupt and misbehaving in the force are getting away with it.”
According to ACC sources, the ACC is investigating several former and current police officials, starting with the former IGP. The ACC launched an investigation against Special Branch Additional DIG Rafiqul Islam soon after Benazir Ahmed's corruption came to light.
There is an allegation against this police officer of acquiring assets worth hundreds of crores of takas anonymously. The ACC began the investigation process following a written complaint against him. Additionally, on May 20, a case was registered against a police constable named Mehedi Hasan at the ACC's Rajshahi office. The court has barred Additional Superintendent of Police Uttam Kumar Biswas from leaving the country.
The ACC could not provide information on how many complaints have been filed against police officers across the country. However, the ACC's search list includes names of various levels of officers, including former and current Additional IGPs, DIGs, Additional DIGs, SPs, Additional SPs, ASPs, Inspectors, and Sub-Inspectors.
ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan told The Daily Messenger, “They are investigating about 10 police officers, starting with the DIG. Among them, there are also judgments against some. An investigation into the corruption of certain police officers is underway.”
He also said, “Investigations have been initiated against some individuals, including senior officials, based on various complaints. Complaints have also been filed against some of them.”
However, the police have said that any complaint against a member of the force is taken very seriously. A senior official at the police headquarters, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “We investigate very thoroughly when someone in the police is involved in corruption, or when we receive a complaint. If the allegations are found to be true, action will be taken against them according to service rules.”
Meanwhile, the International Anti-Corruption agency, TIB, conducts a survey every two to three years to assess the overall state of corruption in the country’s service sectors. The last survey report published by TIB was in 2022. In that survey, law enforcement, or the police, was identified as the most corrupt sector in the country. According to TIB’s survey report, 74.4 percent of respondents reported being victims of police corruption.
In this regard, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman told The Daily Messenger, “Except for a handful of individuals, the law-and-order forces of Bangladesh are a thoroughly corrupt institution. Most of the police are involved in corruption. In many cases, they act recklessly because they have good relations with the ruling party.”
The analyst also noted that every time they conduct their survey, the law-and-order forces are consistently ranked at the top or second in terms of corruption in Bangladesh. Many officers, starting from low or middle ranks, own large houses and flats. Many people acquire property illegally, but no action is being taken.
Messenger/Disha
