Many policemen are reportedly getting involved in various crimes such as murder, drug dealing, robbery, extortion and sexual scandal, tarnishing image of the entire police force.

In recent times, many victims have raised allegations of various crimes against a number of policemen and filed cases against many of them across the country.
At least four incidents of murder and extortion have come to light in the last few days wherein some policemen have allegedly been involved.

Four cases have been filed against some police personnel with courts during the period on charges of murder and extortion.

Golam Mostofa Adar, a businessman, filed a case with a Dhaka court on Wednesday against Rajshahi police super Belayet Hossain who allegedly extorted Tk 4 lakh from him in the DB office.

The court took the cognizance of the case and ordered the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to investigate it.

On August 10, cloth trader Sohel filed an extortion case against five policemen, including the OC of Kotwali Police Station, with a Dhaka court.

Recently, seven detective police were caught red-handed for possessing Tk 17 lakh ransom at a check post on Teknaf-Cox’s Bazar Marine Drive.
Harun Mia of Brahmanbaria filed a case with a court against two cops on charges of taking Tk 88,000 extortion from him.

"I want justice for the extortion. I’ve complained so that none has to suffer like me," he said.

Some policemen allegedly shot Major (retired) Sinha Mohammad Rashed Khan to death in Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar last week. Several police personnel were behind bars in connection with the murder.

According to the Police Headquarters, hundreds of complaints are being submitted every month to SP and DC offices and the police headquarters.

After investigation, the Police Headquarters has taken departmental action against some of the dishonest policemen.

A total of 1,012 policemen were given punishment for various crimes last year. Of them, 61 were sacked from jobs.

Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Sohel Rana said not a big number of policemen are involved in misdeeds.

The Police Headquarters has now started a nursing process so that policemen cannot get involved in crimes, he added.

Sheikh Hafizur Rahman Karjon, professor at Department of Law at Dhaka University, said police are run by the Police Act 1861 -- a colonial law which was enacted by the British government to remain in power illegally.

“We’ve many honest police personnel, but they cannot work honestly for the law,” he said.

Advocate Akhter Kabir Chowdhury, secretary of Chattogram Sushashoner Janno Nagorik (Sujan), said the police role in combating Covid-19 has created their positive attitudes among the countrymen.

But the criminal acts committed recently by some police personnel faded that.

Mokhlesur Rahman, former additional inspector general of police, said they did not want to see that people should be victimised by police.

“The police force is a part of state machine. The force is run how it’s being operated. We (police) wanted reforms and change in the force and its laws, but couldn’t do so,” he said.