Police Week-2023: Give DB, CTTC authority to probe money laundering

Police high-ups yesterday placed a host of demands, including the authority for the DB and counter-terror unit of the DMP to investigate money laundering cases and the  appointment of lawyers in the force to deal with such cases.

Currently, only the Criminal Investigation Department of police has the authority to investigate money laundering.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq placed the demand for the authority to probe money laundering cases, while a special superintendent of the CID demanded the appointment of lawyers.

Asked, the DMP chief told The Daily Star last night that the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit and the cyber crime wing of the Detective Branch of police often find evidence of money laundering while investigating cases.

"We then have to write to the CID or Bangladesh Bank for further investigation, as we have no authority over it. It makes the procedure complicated."

If the DMP commissioner is entrusted with the responsibility to that  end,  then he can allow the units to investigate whenever required, he added.

The demands were made at a closed-door meeting with Law Minister Anisul Huq, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain, and State Minister for Housing & Public Works Sharif Ahmed on the sixth day of Police Week-2023.

At the meeting, the DMP chief requested the enactment of a law and a speedy tribunal to maintain religious harmony.

A highly placed source has disclosed the meeting minutes to The Daily Star.

Gazi Mozammel, additional deputy inspector of police, at the meeting said the existing residence of the Inspector General of Police does not go with his status. He demanded a bigger residence for the police chief and requested that the IGP's residence be allocated to the DMP commissioner.

Meanwhile, an additional inspector general demanded an act specifically for the prevention of river-related crimes, such as river grabbing or the dumping of bodies.

A high official of the Police Headquarters has demanded that the budget for the police be increased in keeping with the national budget.

Farooque Ahmed, additional deputy inspector general (Organisation and Management) of the PHQ, demanded the formation of a separate police unit to deal with cybercrimes.

He also demanded the creation of 10 additional inspector general posts for grade 1.

Presently, the Special Branch chief and additional inspector general (admin) of the PHQ are holding grade-1 designations.

At the meeting, a CID high official demanded amending the gambling act and increasing the penalty.

Section 3 of the Public Gambling Act, 1867, stipulates punishment for owning or keeping, or having charge of a common gaming house with a fine not exceeding Tk 200, or with the imprisonment of either description for any term not exceeding three months

The CID official further demanded making a digital prosecution system, according to a meeting source.

Speaking to the ministers, a district superintendent of police requested financial aid for civil witnesses in court.

The officer further said that some police officers have to appear in court as witnesses even after the end of their tenure.

He also requested financial aid for retired police officials.

Satkhira SP Kazi Sharifuzzaman demanded a separate building on court premises to preserve evidence.

Again, an increase in the IGP's expenditure limit to Tk 50 crore from the existing Tk five crore was also sought since the post is equivalent to a senior secretary.

After police officials placed their demands, all three ministers, in their speeches addressing the officials, said the demands were logical and they will look into them.

Police high officials then held a meeting with the new Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain at the Rajarbagh Police Auditorium.

They asked him for a separate division to expedite police work and demanded that all the additional inspector general posts be elevated to grade-1, according to sources.

In response, Mahbub said he joined only five days ago (January 3). "I do not know about these issues too clearly … I will look into them."