Harun-or-Rashid dismissed two years after ‘fleeing’

More than two years have passed since the July-August 2024 mass uprising. During this period, Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid, former additional commissioner (Crime and Operations) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), has remained out of sight. He has now been dismissed from service for remaining absent from his workplace. The decision was taken after the allegation of desertion against him was established under the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018.

A notification issued today said President Mohammed Shahabuddin approved the dismissal on October 25.

Meanwhile, former Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Shyamal Kumar Mukherjee has also been dismissed from service over the same allegation. He had been absent from his workplace since January 22, 2025.

According to the notification, Harun-or-Rashid had been absent from his workplace since August 6, 2024. He was initially placed under temporary suspension. Later, several attempts were made to contact him through his current and permanent addresses and email. However, he could not be brought back to his workplace.

A departmental case was filed against him on April 15, 2026. At the same time, he was served a show-cause notice. However, he did not submit any written response within the stipulated time. Nor did he seek an extension.

An investigating officer was subsequently appointed on June 22. In a report submitted on August 6 following the investigation, the officer concluded that the allegation of desertion against him had been established.

Harun-or-Rashid was then served with a second show-cause notice. However, he did not respond to it either. As a result, the initial decision to dismiss him from service was maintained.

On September 29, the government sought the Bangladesh Public Service Commission’s (BPSC) opinion on the matter. The commission recommended his dismissal from service. The President subsequently approved the decision.

Meanwhile, Shyamal Kumar Mukherjee had also been placed under temporary suspension. He was later attached to the office of the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Rajshahi Range. He had previously served as Additional DIG of Tourist Police.

The notification said an order attaching him to the Rajshahi Range DIG’s office was issued on January 1, 2025. He joined the office on January 22 that year. However, that afternoon, he submitted a departure report seeking three weeks of leave for rest. Although he was scheduled to return to work on February 9, he did not rejoin.

Several attempts were subsequently made to contact him through his current and permanent addresses and email.

A departmental case was filed against him on July 3, 2025. He was served with a show-cause notice but did not respond. Later, a report submitted by the investigating officer stated that the allegation of desertion against him had been established.

He was then served with a second show-cause notice on March 15 this year. He did not respond to that notice either. In this context, the initial decision to dismiss him from service was maintained.

The government sought the BPSC’s opinion on the matter on July 28. On September 29, the commission recommended his dismissal. The President subsequently approved the decision.

The two notifications were signed by Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Manzur Morshed Chowdhury by order of the President. They stated that the decisions would take effect immediately.