Barisal Metropolitan Police suffers image crisis

Two cases filed against officers accused of taking bribes, probe ordered

The Barisal Metropolitan Police (BMP) is facing an image crisis after two cases were filed within 72 hours against four police officers, including the officer-in-charge of the Model Kotwali police station, for allegedly taking bribes amounting to Tk. 13 lakh. Confirming the development, BMP commissioner SM Ruhul Amin said such filing of cases against policemen for taking bribes was unusual, adding that the BMP has formed a committee to probe the matter.
Nilufa Begum, wife of the late Abu Sayed Khalifa of the C&B Road area in the city, lodged a case in the Barisal Special Judge’s Court this month against six accused, including the officer-in-charge and another officer of the Barisal Kotwali police station, accusing them of misuse of power, demanding bribes, and violating a court order.
On the other hand, another case was filed in the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s court of Barisal on February 8 against Md. Mohiuddin, sub-inspector of the Barisal Kotwali police station, accusing him of demanding bribes, torture, and threatening to kill the complainant in a “crossfire”.
Ripon Mridha, a son of the late Abul Hasem Mridha, of Khan Sarak in Rupatali Gas Turbine Road area of the city, lodged the case as the complainant.
Nilufa Begum of the C&B area said an alleged terrorist had beaten up her daughter, Nupur Begum, in the presence of police.
Taking a bribe of Tk. 10 lakhs, she alleged the Kotwali OC had apparently favoured her rival. The OC had refused to register her case.
On the other hand, another complainant, Ripon Mridha, said SI Mohouddin of the Kotwali police station had demanded Tk. 3 lakh as bribe from him. When he refused, the police officer picked him up from his home and mercilessly tortured him in a locked room inside the police station for two days. Md. Shamim Khan, a witness in the case filed by Ripon, said SI Mohiuddin had even threatened him over phone to kill him in a “crossfire” if Ripon refused to drop the case.
Civil society leaders said high-ranking BMP officials had no way to avoid the case. Dr Habibur Rahman, president of the Barisal Manobadhikar Jot, demanded a judicial inquiry. He alleged that in recent times, bribes were being openly taken in Barisal. He claimed that more people were involved in the crime but were currently in hiding.
Freedom fighter and civil society leader Enayet Hossen Chowdhury said the people of Barisal had a right to know the truth. He demanded immediate suspension of the police officers, including the Kotwali OC, accused in these bribery cases.
The BMP commissioner said a section was trying to tarnish the BMP’s image by instigating those accused in various cases to file cases against police. “However, the BMP authorities have taken the allegations seriously and have begun investigations,” he said.
He urged sufferers to come to him with complaints, assuring them justice. He said eight police officers of the BNM have already been suspended and six others punished in the last six months. He promised that the BMP would not tolerate any criminal activity by police personnel.
Eleven employees of the BNP, including a deputy commissioner, four sub-inspectors and six constables, have been punished for creating what is described as a ‘bribe fund’ here in 2015. The then BMP commissioner and deputy commissioner (DC) (headquarters) were also removed in connection with this incident.

 

 

Barisal Metropolitan Police suffers image crisis

Two cases filed against officers accused of taking bribes, probe ordered

The Barisal Metropolitan Police (BMP) is facing an image crisis after two cases were filed within 72 hours against four police officers, including the officer-in-charge of the Model Kotwali police station, for allegedly taking bribes amounting to Tk. 13 lakh. Confirming the development, BMP commissioner SM Ruhul Amin said such filing of cases against policemen for taking bribes was unusual, adding that the BMP has formed a committee to probe the matter. Nilufa Begum, wife of the late Abu Sayed Khalifa of the CB Road area in the city, lodged a case in the Barisal Special Judges Court this month against six accused, including the officer-in-charge and another officer of the Barisal Kotwali police station, accusing them of misuse of power, demanding bribes, and violating a court order. On the other hand, another case was filed in the Chief Metropolitan Magistrates court of Barisal on February 8 against Md. Mohiuddin, sub-inspector of the Barisal Kotwali police station, accusing him of demanding bribes, torture, and threatening to kill the complainant in a crossfire. Ripon Mridha, a son of the late Abul Hasem Mridha, of Khan Sarak in Rupatali Gas Turbine Road area of the city, lodged the case as the complainant. Nilufa Begum of the CB area said an alleged terrorist had beaten up her daughter, Nupur Begum, in the presence of police. Taking a bribe of Tk. 10 lakhs, she alleged the Kotwali OC had apparently favoured her rival. The OC had refused to register her case. On the other hand, another complainant, Ripon Mridha, said SI Mohouddin of the Kotwali police station had demanded Tk. 3 lakh as bribe from him. When he refused, the police officer picked him up from his home and mercilessly tortured him in a locked room inside the police station for two days. Md. Shamim Khan, a witness in the case filed by Ripon, said SI Mohiuddin had even threatened him over phone to kill him in a crossfire if Ripon refused to drop the case. Civil society leaders said high-ranking BMP officials had no way to avoid the case. Dr Habibur Rahman, president of the Barisal Manobadhikar Jot, demanded a judicial inquiry. He alleged that in recent times, bribes were being openly taken in Barisal. He claimed that more people were involved in the crime but were currently in hiding. Freedom fighter and civil society leader Enayet Hossen Chowdhury said the people of Barisal had a right to know the truth. He demanded immediate suspension of the police officers, including the Kotwali OC, accused in these bribery cases. The BMP commissioner said a section was trying to tarnish the BMPs image by instigating those accused in various cases to file cases against police. However, the BMP authorities have taken the allegations seriously and have begun investigations, he said. He urged sufferers to come to him with complaints, assuring them justice. He said eight police officers of the BNM have already been suspended and six others punished in the last six months. He promised that the BMP would not tolerate any criminal activity by police personnel. Eleven employees of the BNP, including a deputy commissioner, four sub-inspectors and six constables, have been punished for creating what is described as a bribe fund here in 2015. The then BMP commissioner and deputy commissioner (DC) (headquarters) were also removed in connection with this incident.