Feni Police Chief Rebuffed After Entering Judge’s Courtroom Despite Transfer Order
FENI:
The incident involving Mohammad Faizul Azim Noman, officer-in-charge of Daganbhuiyan Police Station, took place on Wednesday, Aug. 12, at the Feni Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal, where Judge A.N.M. Morshed Khan was presiding.
Court-related sources said Noman had earlier sought permission to meet the judge before the hearing began but was told that he could not meet the judge without authorization. He later entered the courtroom after proceedings had begun and saluted the judge three times.
The judge then asked court staff to identify the officer and, after learning who he was, told him that there was no personal relationship between them and that an order had already been issued for his withdrawal from the police station.
“An order is an order,” the judge told him, according to the court source.
Noman then left the courtroom.
Court Order Led to Police Chief’s Withdrawal
The incident came days after the tribunal issued an order concerning allegations that police at Daganbhuiyan Police Station had refused to register cases involving alleged dowry-related violence.
In an order dated Aug. 9, the court said Bibi Marjahan, 24, from the Mamarizpur area of Daganbhuiyan, had brought allegations against five people, including her husband Rakib Hasan Hridoy, accusing them of assaulting her and causing serious injuries over demands for dowry.
According to the court order, Marjahan said she had been unable to have a case registered at the police station and subsequently approached the court.
After examining her, recording her statement and reviewing documents submitted to the court, the tribunal found grounds to treat the complaint as a formal case and directed the officer-in-charge of Daganbhuiyan Police Station to take steps to register it and arrange for an investigation by the Police Bureau of Investigation, or PBI.
The court also referred to medical documents showing that Marjahan had suffered physical injuries, including an injury to her head. It questioned why a complaint involving a seriously injured woman had not been registered by police after she was rescued.
Second Complaint Also Raised
During the hearing, lawyers also brought another case to the court's attention involving Tania Akter, 22, who was allegedly killed over demands for dowry.
The lawyers told the court that police had also declined to register that case. The complaint alleged that Tania had been killed and her body left hanging.
The tribunal said its review of the two complaints, the lawyers’ submissions and the documents attached to the cases indicated serious concerns over the alleged refusal to register the cases.
The court said the circumstances raised questions about the officer’s suitability to continue serving as officer-in-charge of the police station.
It subsequently directed the Feni superintendent of police to withdraw Noman from his post, investigate the allegations that police had refused to register the two cases and take appropriate departmental action against him if warranted.
Police Launch Investigation
Feni Superintendent of Police Pratyush Kumar Majumdar confirmed that police had received the court order concerning Noman’s withdrawal and departmental proceedings.
“We have received the court order regarding his withdrawal and departmental action,” Majumdar said. “An investigation committee has been formed by the police. Further action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.”
Meanwhile, Feni Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Public Prosecutor Advocate Sahab Uddin Ahmed said he had heard that the officer-in-charge of Daganbhuiyan Police Station had entered the judge’s courtroom.
Witnesses said Noman appeared distressed while leaving the court premises. They said that after he reported feeling unwell, several people helped him descend from the building.
The allegations against the police officer remain subject to investigation and any subsequent departmental proceedings.
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