Police Headquarters issue directive against naming people in cases indiscriminately

Any suspects not found to be involved in a case during the initial investigation will have their names dropped, Police Headquarters says

Police Headquarters has issued a directive about the filing of cases with different police stations and in courts after the changeover in the government.

The letter signed by Deputy Inspector General Kamrul Ahsan said any suspects not found to be involved in a case during the initial investigation will have their names dropped

The DIG, however, did not respond when called to ask about the directive. The Public Relations Department of the police also refused to comment on the issue.

The letter, however, has been sent to different departments of the police from headquarters. A source in the Special Branch confirmed receiving the letter.

Citing the minutes of the first meeting of the law and order advisory committee, the letter issued on Sept 10 said that: "government employees cannot be arrested in the cases filed in different police stations or courts by plaintiffs or the families of the martyrs in the student-led mass movement without proof or proper information."

It went on to say: "an officer or individual's name should be withdrawn if their involvement in the murders surrounding the mass movement in July and August 2024 and other cases is not proved in an initial investigation."

Lt Col Md Munim Ferdous, director of the Law and Media Wing of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) said he had heard about the letter, but had not received it.

The spokesperson said that RAB always performed its duties within the purview of law.

"The RAB has sufficient proof when it arrests someone. We scrutinise all information before making an arrest."