ADC Harun suspended for 'public interest': Home ministry
BCL president said they had trust in the investigation and decided not to lodge a criminal case over the incident
The Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday suspended Dhaka Metropolitan Police's additional deputy commissioner Harun-or-Rashid in "public interest".
The decision was made just a day after he had been transferred to the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) in Khagrachari following allegations of assaulting two central leaders of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL).
"ADC Harun needs to be barred from government service in the public interest," stated a Public Security Division notification on Monday.
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Regarding the suspension, DMP Joint Commissioner Biplob Kumar Sarkar said the entire police force cannot bear the liability of any single police personnel.
"The police force will not bear the liability of ADC Harun, who was recently transferred to the APBn for beating up two leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra League," he told reporters at his office on Monday.
According to the suspension order, ADC Harun was suspended under Section 39(1) of the "Sarkari Chakori Ain 2018".
During the suspension period, ADC Harun will remain attached to the Police and will be entitled to allowance as per the rules.
Biplob Kumar also mentioned that a six-member delegation comprising the president and general secretary of BCL went to the DMP Headquarters and met the commissioner regarding the issue.
One of the victims of the incident also accompanied the delegation. The BCL leaders expressed their dismay along with several demands on behalf of the organisation, Joint Commissioner Biplob said.
At the meeting, the DMP commissioner assured the BCL leaders that Bangladesh Police is a highly professional organisation and emphasised that it will not be held responsible for individual liabilities.
Briefing the media after the meeting, BCL President Saddam Hossain said they had trust in the investigation and decided not to lodge a criminal case over the incident.
He said the DMP commissioner assured them that the departmental inquiry would ensure maximum legal punishment.
Asked whether BCL dissuaded the victim's family from filing a case, Saddam said, "It's not true."
Meanwhile, the DMP on Sunday formed a three-member committee to look into the allegation of torturing two BCL leaders at Shahbagh police station.
The committee has asked to submit its report within two working days.
The incident
On Saturday, ADC Harun reportedly took BCL Central Organising Secretary Anowar Hossain Nayeem and BCL Science Affairs Secretary Sharif Ahmed Munim to Shahbagh police station following an argument with them at the Birdem Hospital and assaulted them.
The incident caused anger among BCL leaders and many posted on social media criticising Harun and demanded action.
Other allegations against Harun
Harun had earlier developed an ill-reputation for beating and assaulting teachers, journalists, lawyers, protesting students, opposition politicians, and even police colleagues.
An intelligence report on Harun reads that both of his parents are supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami. Besides, his late maternal grandfather was in Muslim League and an active Jamaat leader, while his uncles are BNP activists.
During his days at Dhaka University, Harun was actively involved in BNP's student wing. However, after the 2008 elections, he came to be associated with BCL.
The report said many local AL leaders harboured long standing resentment over the appointment of Harun to a significant DMP position, claiming Harun consistently carried out controversial activities, including brutal treatment of Chhatra League leaders, students, and local AL members, to embarrass the government.
