Phone Call Leak: Home ministry suspends two police officials

The home ministry yesterday suspended two police officials -- one of the rank of superintendent of police and the other of the rank of assistant SP -- following the leak of their alleged phone conversation regarding police and Rab.

It issued separate circulars suspending SM Fazlul Haque, currently posted in Rab-5, and Nazmul Hasan, assistant commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police. Fazlul was recently promoted to the rank of SP.

The circulars did not elaborate on the reasons for their suspension but mentioned that the steps were taken in public interest. The orders took effect immediately.

The inspector general of police was asked to send complaints to the ministry for filing departmental cases against them, according to the circulars.

The development came a day after Lt Col Mohammad Iftekhar Uddin, director (operations) of Rab, wrote to the police headquarters to take SP Fazlul Haque back to the police force from Rab and take administrative steps against him.

The Rab official mentioned that Fazlul had a sensitive phone conversation with Nazmul in which he made unacceptable, false and indecent remarks reading Rab and its officials, which created confusion among various quarters.

There is a possibility of unexpected misunderstanding between the two forces due to his sensitive remarks and activities, which are unacceptable and punishable offence, Iftekhar mentioned in the letter to the deputy inspector general (administration and discipline wing) of police headquarters.